"Simple Toys"

I’ve recorded this one three times, and I still haven’t got it quite right. I am very proud of the song itself, though. I began writing this one on a bus in Harvard Square.

“Simple Toys” onYouTube (from Malec I)

Simple Toys

© 1985 Brian Hutzell

Poor boy clothes, soiled and torn

Same wardrobe grandpa wore

Momma says, “Bless the Lord!

We don’t need nothing more.”

Poor boy has rich boy dreams

Everything in his sleep

Shiny car, new house, new clothes

No more Salvation Army, no

Poor boy wakes, starts to cry

Momma hears, asks him why

“Darling boy, don’t you know

You’ve got love--that’s your home.”

Poor boy--he enjoys simple toys, sim-simple toys

Poor boy needs bigger toys

Toys that make louder noise

Fancy toys--designed, destroy

In hand, in mind, the world, mankind

Simple toys work the best

Never break, never rest

Thought control, subtle means

There’s no blood; no one screams

Poor boy--he enjoys simple toys, sim-simple toys

Poor boy--he enjoys simple toys, sim-simple toys

Poor boy he enjoys any means to achieve loyalty to his country

He employs sim-simple sim-simple toys

“Mark Time”

Brian Hutzell

from Brand New Bouncing Suit