Lyrics

Childhood Years
[Verse 1]
We couldn't wait to be much older,
Couldn't wait to make our own way,
While Mum was calling from the doorway,
“Come inside, you've had all day.”
But there were games still left unfinished,
And our friends were calling out our names,
We thought those days would last forever,
And tomorrow would be just the same.
[Pre-Chorus]
We were always looking forward,
Never knowing what we'd leave behind.
[Chorus]
Don't wish your childhood years away,
They'll disappear before you know,
You'll spend your youth wishing you were older,
Then spend your later years wishing they were slow.
Back to when the days seemed endless,
And tomorrow felt so far away.
You only learnt how much they mattered
When those years went away.
[Verse 2]
We thought that we were indestructible,
Till a scraped knee brought us home,
Mum was always there,
Thank God we were not alone.
We all remember our first kiss
And the holding of the hands.
We swore our love would last forever,
But the future had other plans.
[Pre-Chorus]
Still we kept on wishing days away,
for freedom that waited down the road.
[Chorus]
Don't wish your childhood years away,
They'll disappear before you know,
You'll spend your youth wishing you were older,
Then spend your later years wishing they were slow.
Back to when the days seemed endless,
And tomorrow felt so far away.
You only learn how much they mattered
When those years didnt stay.
[Verse 3]
We thought that growing up meant freedom,
No one telling us what we could do,
But freedom came with its problems,
With people depending upon you.
There were choices with consequences,
There were hearts we'd sometimes break,
And the world looked differently
With every road we take.
[Bridge]
If I could sit beside that child again,
Knowing everything I know today,
I wouldn't tell him what was coming,
Or warn him of each price he'd pay.
I'd only say, “Slow down a little,
There's no need to race ahead.
Enjoy the noise, the games, the laughter,
And every goodnight before bed.”
[Final Chorus]
Don't wish your childhood years away,
You'll never get those years again.
Hold on to every silly moment,
Every summer, every friend.
Because one day you'll close your eyes
And wish that time had somehow stayed,
And understand the childhood years
Were never meant to be wished away.
[Outro]
We couldn't wait to be much older...
Funny how that changes with the years.
If I could tell that child just one thing—
Don't wish away your childhood years.