Story Behind The Song
I wrote "Tricycles and Tonka Trucks" in 1996, shortly after graduating with my Master of Physical Therapy degree from the University of North Dakota and entering the work force. As anyone who has gone through the transition from college to the "real world" will attest, there are a lot of changes and increased responsibilities that hit you all at once. You also start to realize more and more about how the world works, and that things (and people) are not always what they seem--and are typically much more complicated. This song takes you back and is a reminder of the "simpler times" of childhood, when the biggest worry you might have had was getting home on time for supper. A personal favorite line of mine is in the third verse: "When they say their lies to me, I'd like to hand them a tiny yellow backhoe and let them figure it out." If this line doesn't make sense to you, I feel sorry for you, as you obviously had a deprived childhood!
| Song Length |
3:00 |
Genre |
Country - Bluegrass, Folk - Bluegrass |
| Tempo |
Fast (151 - 170) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Language |
English |
| |
Lyrics
I remember when I was a young boy
When the things that meant most in my life
Were simple and pure, honest and secure
No worries, problems, troubles, or strife
Playin' ball with the boys at the schoolyard
Invariably would lead to a fight
Then, Mike would hate Ben, but soon we'd all be friends again
And the games would go on 'til the dark of night
Oh, Lord, I wonder where the time has gone
Memories can take me back, but they cannot right the wrongs
Life's much harder now, sometimes I feel so out of touch
How I long for days of old, with tricycles and Tonka Trucks
Truth and honesty, these days, are merely gestures
People talk not from their hearts, just from their mouths
When they say their lies to me, I'd like to hand them a tiny
Yellow back-hoe, and let them figure it out
Oh, Lord, I wonder where the time has gone
Memories can take me back, but they cannot right the wrongs
Life's much harder now, sometimes I feel so out of touch
How I long for days of old, with tricycles and Tonka Trucks
Oh, Lord, I wonder where the time has gone
Memories can take me back, but they cannot right the wrongs
Life's much harder now, sometimes I feel so out of touch
How I long for days of old, with tricycles and Tonka Trucks
Yeah, life's much harder now, am I ever out of touch
How I long for days of old, with tricycles and Tonka Trucks