I Wish
The String Cheese Incident (Featuring Martin Sexton) Lyrics


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Looking back on when I
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
Sneaking out the back door
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

Overall Meaning

The String Cheese Incident's "I Wish," featuring Martin Sexton, is a nostalgic song that looks back on the singer's childhood memories. The lyrics describe how when the singer was a young boy, he didn't have many worries except for what toy he would receive for Christmas. Even though their family might not have always been able to afford gifts, being together during the holiday would make them happy. The singer reminisces about sneaking out of the house to hang out with his "hoodlum friends," only to be scolded and punished by his mother for doing so. The lyrics also mention the singer's first experiences with "playing doctor" with a girl, trading Sunday school money for candy, and smoking cigarettes while writing on the wall.


The song's theme of wanting to go back to a simpler and happier time is relatable to many listeners, and it seems to be the sentiment that the String Cheese Incident wants to evoke in their audience. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the nostalgia and longing of looking back on days gone by. While the song is steeped in nostalgia, it also acknowledges that growing up and learning from past mistakes is a necessary part of life.


Overall, "I Wish" is about remembering the joys and pains of growing up and wanting to turn back the clock to relive the simpler times. The feelings of nostalgia that this song creates are universal and relatable.


Line by Line Meaning

Looking back on when I
Reflecting on a past time in my life


Was a little nappy headed boy
When I was a young child with curly, unkempt hair


Then my only worry
At that time, my sole concern


Was for Christmas what would be my toy
Was what gift I would receive for the holiday season


Even though we sometimes
Despite the fact that occasionally


Would not get a thing
We would not receive any presents


We were happy with the
We found joy in the


Joy the day would bring
Happiness that arose from the excitement of the day


Sneaking out the back door
Secretly exiting the rear of the house


To hang out with those hoodlum friends of mine
To spend time with my mischievous acquaintances


Greeted at the back door
Received at the rear entrance


With boy thought I told you not to go outside
Met with a warning from my parent that I should not go outside


Tryin' your best to bring the
Attempting your utmost to make


Water to your eyes
Your eyes fill up with water


Thinkin' it might stop her
Believing that it might prevent her


From woopin' your behind
From punishing you physically


I wish those days could come back once more
Expressing a desire for those times to return


Why did those days ever have to go
Questioning why that period had to end


Cause I love them so
Because I have a strong affection for those moments


Brother says he's tellin'
An older sibling threatens to report to a caregiver


'Bout you playin' doctor with that girl
About you exploring the female anatomy through play


Just don't tell I'll give you
Just keep quiet and I will offer you


Anything you want in this whole wide world
As much as you can desire from the entire planet


Mama gives you money for Sunday school
Mother provides you with funds to attend religious education


You trade yours for candy after church is through
You exchange yours for sweets upon departing from church


Smokin' cigarettes and writing something nasty on the
Smoking tobacco products and inscribing something vulgar on the


wall (you nasty boy)
Surface of a structure, implying misbehavior


Teacher sends you to the principal's office down the wall
Educator instructs you to see the head of the institution along the hallway


You grow up and learn that kinda thing ain't right
You mature and realize that behavior is not appropriate


But while you were doin'it - it sure felt outta sight
But it felt incredibly thrilling while you were engaging in it


I wish those days could come back once more
Expressing a desire for those times to return


Why did those days ever have to go
Questioning why that period had to end


I wish those days could come back once more
Expressing a desire for those times to return


Why did those days ever have to go
Questioning why that period had to end




Contributed by Sophia O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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@pathesselgrave6903

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