Lawn

I worked for many long years

To make my yard look nice

I graded, seeded, 

mowed and weeded

And followed good advice

I mulched and watered weekends

Planted flowers before dawn

But the kids in the neighborhood 

Don’t mean me any good 

So I scream,

“Get off my lawn”!

Get off my lawn!

Get off my lawn!

Get off my lawn!

Why can’t they just understand

I did this all with my two hands

It really riles me up

Don’t want them on my land 

Still they won’t stay away

I find myself looking out my window 

In essence, standing guard 

I loath to see 

Anybody 

Walking on my yard

The children think it’s funny

They laugh and run away 

They like the feel

Of the soft grass

It’s where they want to play 

“Get off my lawn”!

Get off my lawn!

Get off my lawn!

Get off my lawn!

I jump to my feet

Run toward the street 

And scream until they’re gone 

Get off my lawn!

Get Off My Lawn!

Every neighborhood has one grumpy old man screaming at the children to get off his lawn. As a child, I have had the experience of the crabby old neighbor that yelled “Get off my lawn” at everyone. Sometimes we weren’t even on his lawn! While writing these songs from the point of view of an old person, I had to include this character. I had the concept and made the music, which had to be angry. I suppose I must have this same old man living somewhere inside me because the words rolled out easily.