I Wish
Norman Harris Lyrics
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Was a little nappy headed boy
Then my only worry
Was for Christmas what would be my toy
Even though we sometimes
Would not get a thing
We were happy with the
Joy the day would bring
To hang out with those hoodlum friends of mine
Greeted at the back door
With boy thought I told you not to go outside
Tryin' your best to bring the
Water to your eyes
Thinkin' it might stop her
From woopin' your behind
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ever have to go
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ever have to go
Cause I love them so
Brother says he's tellin'
'Bout you playin' doctor with that girl
Just don't tell I'll give you
Anything you want in this whole wide world
Mama gives you money for Sunday school
You trade yours for candy after church is through
Smokin' cigarettes and writing something nasty on the wall (you nasty boy)
Teacher sends you to the principal's office down the wall
You grow up and learn that kinda thing ain't right
But while you were doin'it-it sure felt outta sight
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ever have to go
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ever have to go
The lyrics of Norman Harris's song "I Wish" speaks of nostalgia and longing for simpler times. It tells the story of a little boy who worried only about getting Christmas toys and sneaking out with his friends. The boy is also described as being a bit mischievous, being scolded by his mother for going outside and by his teacher for writing something nasty on the wall. As the boy grows up, he realizes that some of the things he did as a child were not right, but they sure felt good at the time. The song is a wistful reflection of the past, and a lament of how things had to change.
The lyrics of the song convey a sense of innocence and carefree abandon that characterizes childhood. The images of "sneaking out the back door" and "writing something nasty on the wall" suggest a playful, rebellious spirit that is often associated with kids. The lines "I wish those days could come back once more. Why did those days ever have to go?" expresses the sentiment that many of us feel about our childhood memories. We long for the simplicity and the pure joy of being a child, and we lament the fact that we can never go back to those times.
In conclusion, Norman Harris's "I Wish" is a nostalgic song that speaks to the universal experience of growing up and leaving childhood behind. It is a tribute to the things we lose as we grow older, and a reminder to cherish the memories that we hold dear. The song's message is both poignant and uplifting, and it resonates with anyone who has ever wished to turn back the clock.
Line by Line Meaning
Looking back on when I
Reflecting on a time in the past when the singer was younger
Was a little nappy headed boy
When the singer was young and had unkempt hair
Then my only worry
At that age, the singer only had one concern
Was for Christmas what would be my toy
The artist looked forward to Christmas and the possibility of receiving a new toy
Even though we sometimes
Despite adversities that arose
Would not get a thing
Sometimes there would be no gifts during Christmas
We were happy with the
Despite that, the family still found happiness in
Joy the day would bring
The overall joy of Christmas day
Sneaking out the back door
A common occurrence where the artist would escape without anyone noticing
To hang out with those hoodlum friends of mine
The artist's friends may have been considered unruly by society's standards
Greeted at the back door
Upon the singer's return home, they were met by someone at the back door, indicating their action was noticed
With boy thought I told you not to go outside
A scolding remark of not to go outside, yet the artist did anyway
Tryin' your best to bring the
Reacting to a situation in the best way possible
Water to your eyes
Attempting to cry on cue as an act of remorse or seeking mercy
Thinkin' it might stop her
Believing that crying may persuade 'her' to not punish the singer
From woopin' your behind
Refers to being physically disciplined or spanked by 'her'
I wish those days could come back once more
Expressing a desire to go back to that innocent and carefree time
Why did those days ever have to go
Questioning why life had to move on from those simpler times
Cause I love them so
Reason for wanting to go back to those happy memories is because the singer loves them dearly
Brother says he's tellin'
The artist's sibling is threatening to disclose something about them
'Bout you playin' doctor with that girl
Sibling is accusing the artist of playing a sexual game with a girl
Just don't tell I'll give you
Bribing the sibling not to tell on them
Anything you want in this whole wide world
Assuming the bribing tactic will lead the sibling to ask for something in return
Mama gives you money for Sunday school
Mother gives the artist money to go to church
You trade yours for candy after church is through
The singer uses the money intended for church on candy instead
Smokin' cigarettes and writing something nasty on the wall (you nasty boy)
Typical behavior of a mischievous, rebellious child
Teacher sends you to the principal's office down the wall
The misbehavior led to writer's punishment of being sent to the principal's office
You grow up and learn that kinda thing ain't right
As the artist got older, they learned what was wrong with the previous behavior
But while you were doin'it-it sure felt outta sight
Despite the questionable behavior, it felt exhilarating or pleasurable at the time
I wish those days could come back once more
Expressing a desire to return to those past and carefree times
Why did those days ever have to go
Questioning why life had to move on from those simpler times
I wish those days could come back once more
Reiterating the intense desire to go back to the carefree times
Why did those days ever have to go
Questioning once again why life had to move on from that time period
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WONDER, STEVIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dominic Hetherington
a philly icon the Harris machine!!!! r.I.p.
Roosevelt McCarter
"I Wish" from the Lp "The Harris Machine."