Song Description

A man reflecting on his loss of innocence.

Lyrics

I can remember the time
when Charlie the Elephant was by my side
we would walk down a road
that goes where only elephants go

I can remember the way
Charlie the Elephant found no words to say
when I told him 'bout school
and how I had to go like the other kids
but how about one more ride
before I go away for a while

Then he gave a curious sigh
an elephant tear slid from a sad elephant eye
and I brushed it away
as we walked with an elephant sway

CHORUS

What's that boy doin on an elephant
rocking back and forth way up in the stratosphere
How'd that boy get up on an elephant
'Never seen; never seen anything that big around here

School takes up most of the time
with math and geography well, I find that I'm
too busy to play
to play the way that elephants play

Sometimes through the window I see
Charlie the Elephant staring in at me
and I just turn away
'cause teacher says Charlie just gets in my way
that's when I close my eyes
and me and Charlie go for a ride
REPEAT CHORUS
Now that I'm older I find
that I just relax and go back in my mind
when me n Charlie would play
I'd give everything to have it that way..again

But yesterday my boy said to me
"Dad what's the matter," I said, "nothin' really...
I guess that I miss a friend
A friend I haven't seen in the longest time
But I'll get over it soon"
Then he disappeared to his room

While I stood there rubbing my eyes
he came from his room on an animal ten times his size
and with a mischievous smile...he said
"Dad it's your turn for a while"
REPEAT CHORUS