Story Behind The Song

Written whilst a member of the North Devon Folk Group ' Hearts of Oak'. Went on a songwriting day and asked to think of an issue that meant a lot to me. This was the result.

Song Description

A dialogue between a child and a parent, where the child is asking Can I go?, and the parent, although remembering all the freedom he/she had as a child regretfully says no, because of the percieved threats to children these days.

Lyrics

The Wildwood Song
Can I climb the tallest trees in the wild wood?
Can I go and fish for minnows in the stream?
Can I walk on my own
through the park and the town?
Can I go? Can I learn how to dream?

In the woods where you play
You?ll see the magpie and the jay
But behind every tree there is a stranger.
So stay safe and secure
and don?t venture from the door
And we?ll keep you protected from danger.

Where you wade in the stream
There?ll be salmon and bream,
But you?ll see them on the telly or at school
So stay here safe and sound
With your feet upon dry ground
And we?ll spoil you and we?ll help you to look cool.

And I like to go down
to the park and the town
but did you hear what they told us on the news?
So stay safe here at home
Surf the net up in your room
And don?t ask because it hurts me to refuse.

No, you can?t climb the trees in the wild woods.
No, you can?t fish for minnows in the stream
If we let you go loose
You?ll be open to abuse
Please don?t go; please don?t learn how to dream.