Man of Conviction

MAN OF CONVICTION

I was a man of conviction back in my boyhood days

When the stories my father told me were true as could be

Now I walk on the cigarette sidewalk

And I drive in the spirit soaked street

Oh I was a man of conviction too early

It’s been ages and ages, honey

And the ages are rolling on

Since I looked in the eyes of a person and told them my dreams

Now my memories are password protected

My old tee shirts are quilt squares, I can’t fit in my old jeans

Oh I was a man of conviction at seventeen

I was a man of conviction if I ever was a man

Though I seem to remember some crying and wallowing child

Now I’m older with less of a purpose

Than the fool who was daring and wild

If I was a man of conviction, it’s been a while

I was a man of conviction when the future was just a game

When conviction meant swearing, I want it, I promise to be

To be noble and sober and honest

And to sweep the world off of its feet

When I was a man of conviction it was easy

I was a man of conviction

Who I am now, I don’t know

Though I’ve known enough misers, those faded and sullen and weak

Now it’s time to rekindle the yearning

Of the man I used to be

Yes I’ll be a man of conviction, honey, next we meet