A song: On Behalf of Heroes

On Behalf of Heroes

Small towns each have their heroes,
Just like cities, in their way,
And though he was no superman
Will was there to save the day!

Every afternoon of summer,
In his tree fort by the brook
He'd map out his heroic deeds
In his secret hero's book.

At one o'clock he'd face a dragon.
At two he'd win a war.
At three he'd stop a run-away-train,
And he'd save the "high seas" 'til four.

And between each wild adventure,
Of blocking bad guys high and low,
Will would climb back to his tree fort
And survey the world below.

As he watched the people 'round him,
All engrossed in hectic lives,
Will would ask, "Where've all the heroes gone?
Did none of them survive?"

-- Chorus--
Where have all the heroes gone?
Are they sleeping?
Are they dead?
Where are the knights in armor
From the books so often read?
What happened to the stories?
What happened to the dreams?
Are there really so few dreamers as it seems?
--

He was standing at the crosswalk,
His backpack weighed like lead,
And though the years had changed him
Will still dreamt inside his head.

For as every day he walked to school,
Passing people, sad and stressed,
Will dreamt the world a happy place,
With warmth and peace and rest.

So as he walked into the school,
And was swept up in the crowd.
He turned and found a stranger's face,
And said, "Good morning!", right out loud.

Will went about his classes,
Filling up and words and facts,
But as he watched the teens around him,
And he watched their selfish acts,

Will couldn't help but wonder
What had happened to his friends.
Had they lost all sense of honor?
And were heroes at an end?

-- Chorus--
Where have all the heroes gone?
Are they sleeping?
Are they dead?
Where are the knights in armor
From the books so often read?
What happened to the stories?
What happened to the dreams?
Are there really so few dreamers as it seems?
--

It was Christmas time, and crowded,
The people jostling in line.
And as he stood and waited
Will didn't see the cardboard sign.

"Hey dad?" a small voice whispered.
"Do you see that man right there?
He doesn't even have a coat!
And it's really could out here!'

Do you think think I can have a dollar?
To put into his bowl?"
Will looked down at his anxious son,
With his small heart warm and full.

And as he watched the little form,
With the bills clutched in his fist,
Will knew he saw a hero
That he could add on to his list.

"Did you see dad? That was awesome!"
Will's son had reached his side.
"Just like playing knights with you again!"
And the small boy swelled with pride.

-- Ending Chorus--
Are you asking, "Where've the heroes gone?"
Are you watching?
Are you sure?
Have you looked inside to find one?
Are you keeping your heart pure?
So, what about your stories?
And what about your dreams?
Dreaming's not so hard as it may seem!
--

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