Dirty Face
Shel Silverstein
Poem text
My darling dirty-faced child?
I got it from crawling along in the dirt
And biting two buttons off Jeremy's shirt.
I got it from chewing the roots of a rose
And digging for clams in the yard with my nose.
I got it from peeking into a dark cave
And painting myself like a Navajo brave.
I got it from playing with coal in the bin
And signing my name in cement with my chin.
I got it from rolling around on the rug
And giving the horrible dog a big hug.
I got it from finding a lost silver mine
And eating sweet blackberries right off the vine.
I got it from ice cream and wrestling and tears
And having more fun than you have had in years
Main Idea
Why?
Song
[Verse 1:]
It might seem crazy what I’m about to say
Sunshine she’s here, you can take a break
I’m a hot air balloon that could go to space
With the air, like I don’t care baby by the way
[Chorus:]
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do
[Verse 2:]
Here come bad news talking this and that, yeah,
Well, give me all you got, and don’t hold it back, yeah,
Well, I should probably warn you I’ll be just fine, yeah,
No offense to you, don’t waste your time
Here’s why
[Chorus]
Hey, come on
[Bridge:]
(happy)
Bring me down
Can't nothing bring me down
My level's too high
Bring me down
Can't nothing bring me down
I said (let me tell you now)
Bring me down
Can't nothing bring me down
My level's too high
Bring me down
Can't nothing bring me down
I said
[Chorus 2x]
Hey, come on
(happy)
Bring me down… can’t nothing…
Bring me down… my level's too high…
Bring me down… can’t nothing…
Bring me down, I said (let me tell you now)
[Chorus 2x]
Come on
Song vs. poem
Original poem
My darling dirty-faced child?
I got it from crawling along under my car
And from wiping my face with tar.
I got it from riding my dirt bike
And from working on the neighbors trike.
I got it from shoveling dirt
And painting myself like Birt.
I got it from playing with the fire
And putting up a new telephone wire.
I got it from rolling around in the mud
And chasing Jimmy's pug.
I got it from counting my every last penny
And from going on a date with Jenny.
I got it from work, fun, impressing all my peers
And from doing all the things to make it through my older years