Started 16-March-2017 (first and last stanzas)
Finished 12-July-2026

Come here my son and let me tell you
of the world today
The horrors that you hear a bout
are here and here to stay

The charlatans and tricksters who
will lead you far astray
The liars and the cheaters who
your heart will surely flay

The crooks and thieves and swindlers
who on you will try to prey
The petty slights and subtle wrongs
that slowly chip away.

And try to rob you of your soul
and sweet naivete
Just hold on tight and be yourself,
things might just be ok.

It will not be ‘til you are old
that you’ll feel this dismay
But it will start, sooner than not,
but maybe not today.

Now go my son and see the world
but heed you what I say.
Go run a long out with your friends
to run and shout and play