We said 'yes, ma'am and 'yes, sir' and a good whooping still worked
If we talked back we got it again
Back when kids got in fights, they didn't use guns or knives
A bloody nose was as far as it went

And we all ate our suppers with a daddy and a mother
At the table without the TV
Yeah, that's how it was and that's how it still ought to be

Yeah, the world was much safer, you could count on your neighbor
And a stranger was someone you just hadn't met yet
We trusted our preachers, our heroes and teachers
And believed every word that they said

There was no credit crunch and gas wasn't so much
And our jobs hadn't gone overseas
Yeah, that's how it was and that's how it still ought to be

Yeah, the world was much safer, you could cont on your neighbor
And a stranger was someone you just hadn't met yet
We trusted our preachers, our heroes and teachers
And believed every word that they said

Yeah, we followed the good book, now every time I look back
I sure do like what I see
Yeah, that's how it was and that's how it still ought to be
Yeah, that's how it was and if you're asking me
Well that's how it still ought to be