Missing

abcdia
Liner notesWhen I play this, I invariably follow it with Phil Ochs's When I'm Gone. At Uncle Bill's wake, I think I did What's So Funny 'Bout Peace Love And Understanding as well, saying that they were

Whatever happened to the boy scout I used to be?
Full of good deeds and duty to God, Queen and country,
He'd have been useful, with everything he was taught,
But he's missing, presumed got interested in sport.

Whatever happened to that footballer in his teens?
Full of last-minute cup-final winners, sometimes for the right team,
He'd have been Michael Owen, given half a chance,
But he's missing, presumed got interested in romance.

Whatever happened to the Romeo I used to be?
Full of gifts and flowers, and dreadful poetry,
He'd have been married now, and playing with the kids' sticklebricks,
But he's missing, presumed got interested in politics.

Whatever happened to the leftie I used to be?
Full of wars for peace and freedom, and Marxist theory,
He'd have been President now, or in jail for his ideas,
But he's missing, presumed got interested in careers.

Whatever happened to that youngster of yesterday?
The badges and the bruises, the blushes and the beret,
He'd have been special if he'd not kept breaking the mould,
But he's missing, missing presumed grown old.