New in town the first day of school
All Johnny wanted was to be thought of as cool.
This High School was exciting and new
The halls were crowded and crazy like a zoo.
After lots of confusion he got to class
Surprised was he when a cute girl asked,
“Hey New Kid! I’ll hang with you
Wanna find a nice place to go smoke a few?”
Well John wasn’t one to normally smoke
But he didn’t want kids to think he was a joke.
He nodded and said, “Where should we meet?”
“How ‘bout that bench at the end of the street.”
“After that we’ll walk to my place
My group of friends needs a new face.”
She left and Johnny stood and smiled
He'd be cool and popular in a short while.
He walked to the bench and on the way
Began to think of that first day.
John people want to be friends with you
All you need to do is do what they do.
He hadn’t reached the bench quite yet
And already a shout, “Wanna cigarette?”
“Of course,” John said just to look cool
He didn’t want them to think him a fool.
Once he got there they all walked off
But John’s never smoked and started to cough.
To see if he was cool they gave him a test
Tomorrow he should bring cigarettes for the rest.
John got as much money as he could
Then went to the store like he said he would.
Bought what he could, spent all he had
But he’d have cool friends, he was glad.
The next day he went to the house of a friend
Where they sat and smoked like there was no end.
But after awhile it began to stink
And our Johnny began to think.
What if my mom found out and got real mad
I don’t even want to think of my dad.
It can ruin my health but, hey, I’m fine
I’m only 15 and have lots of time.
From that moment on he didn’t think for himself
He listened to his friends and ruined his health.
John met with his friends and smoked every night
But thought I’m young I’ll be all right.
He was fine until caught by his dad
“Listen to me boy, I’m mad!
I’ve told you before you shouldn’t smoke
What it does is not a joke.”
“It can give you cancer, oh yes it will
After a time it even kills!
Where do you think those videos and pamphlets are
founded?
They’re facts son, and now you’re grounded.
“Stay in your room for the next four weeks
If you disobey you’ll be there for keeps.”
But Johnny went behind his back
And snuck out each night to smoke a pack.
He continued to smoke night after night
He was fine if he was out of his parents’ sight.
John continued to smoke all through High School
Just so his friends wouldn’t think him uncool.
On the first day of college he met a new girl
Who didn’t mind the smokers’ world.
They went out and John got his first girlfriend
Both of them hoped it would never end.
Their wishes came true they were together forever
A day didn’t go by without smoking. Never.
Years later they had a son named Brian
John couldn’t wait to take him to the zoo to see lions.
But a few days after Brian turned one
John had a doctor’s appointment that wasn’t very fun.
The doctor said he had cancer in his lungs
The pain in John’s heart stung.
“Did you really think smoking was a joke?
The cause is years of all that smoke.
We’re sorry John there’s nothing we can do
You’ll never see your son turn two.”
John went home and told his wife
All about his pain and strife
“There’s just one thing I need you to try
Quit smoking, dear, before you die.”
John did all he could with the time he had
Trying to be the best possible dad.
He’d never see his son go to school
All because he wanted to be cool.