Jan Gillies - Swamp Song

Swamp Song Jan Gillies

1) Indiana, the sixties, a 10-year-old kid
Two sisters, both older, didn’t care what I did
TV, black & white, just half-hour a day
I’d complain, Mom stood pat, & then she would say:

Chorus:
Go play in the swamp, it’s a lovely day
Just grab some grub & grubby duds, & then just go away.

2) Now, she meant it, we had one, down below our back yard
Spring-fed giant pools, snapping turtles bite hard!
Grapevines you could swing on, & land with a splash
But the leeches made sure that the dip didn’t last!
(chorus)

3) Teenager, uncertain, in turbulent times
A guitar, war protests, and making up rhymes
My audience of fishes, turtles and frogs
Life seemed so simple, down in the bogs
(chorus)

4) A Vietnam veteran, sick from the war
The body was fine, but the spirit was sore
We connect chasing butterflies, out in the green
A smile touches eyes where just teardrops had been
(chorus)

5) Several years later, a wedding to plan
South Florida, now, and the perfect man
The preacher is puzzled, but soon understands
He can stand on a boardwalk, while we hold hands
New chorus:
A different swamp, but how serene, Divine!
Just watch the alligators and the guests will be just fine!!
(repeat 1st chorus)