Dan Bern - Butterflies

I was nine years old
Playing on a pier overlooking
The Golden Gate bridge
Played on that pier
All the time
Dodging cars
I lost a couple of friends that way

Oh, them butterflies
Fighting against the wind
Not moving anyplace

Oh, them butterflies
Took off my jacket, started swingin' at them

Happiest moment of my life
Happiest moment of my life

I ditched school, 'cause I got beat up at home
Didn't want them to just send me to the hospital again
Started whippin' my jacket around
Hard as I could do
Yellow and white wings flickering against my feet

Oh, them butterflies
Fast as I 'd take 'em out, more would fill the air
Oh, them butterflies
Never felt like that before
It was the happiest moment of my life

Ooo hoo hoo for the next 25 years
I took comfort in that
Ooo hoo hoo for the next 25 years
When I was beaten and down
I took comfort in that

Thought about this the other day
Little boy playin' on a pier
Swingin' his jacket against a column of yellow and white
I'd always seen it so beautiful
Now I just see an angry boy
Striking out against the world

Oh, them butterflies
Struggling against the wind not movin' anyplace
Oh, them butterflies
Taking away their life
It was the happiest moment of my life