on the bus

patty petty in the back of the bus, a bunch of fools hangin' around
laying her out, feeling her up, and finally putting her down
i remember being sick to my stomach, "stop it" i wanted to shout
i remember her panic, her face, her fear; she was trying to tough it out

you're either on that bus or you're off that bus,
you're either on that bus or you're off that bus
you're either on that bus or you're off that bus,
are you on that bus, are you off that bus?

somehow thru the crowd, her eyes locked mine, but tell me what could i do?
one little boy against "wannabe men", i just turned away, wouldn't you?
yes, i held my tongue and i walked away, i had to get it out of my sight
ashamed my fear got the best of me, didn't do what i knew was right

you're either on that bus or you're off that bus
you're either on that bus or you're off that bus
make a choice now...on that bus, off that bus
are you on that bus, are you off that bus?

now forty years later, i still see her eyes, i still hear her silent plea
"are you just gonna stand there?
will you walk away? and the answer came back to me

instrumental chorus

now another in trouble is holding a torch that used to shine bright and clear
stood for what's decent, stood for what's right,
but "wannabe' men" still rule with fear
and i can't hold my tongue and i can't turn away
and i can't pretend things are just fine, the first time fear got the best of me
but this time i draw the line
and i won't hold my tongue and i won't walk away
and i won't pretend things are all right, last time fear got the best of me
but this time i stand and fight

we're either on that bus or you're off that bus
we're either on that bus or you're off that bus
we're either on that bus or you're off that bus
are we on that bus, are we off that bus

worlds and music by james lee stanley, december 2005