Storybooks and Treasure Maps

The kings and their crusaders are forgotten,

     No one reads about them any more,

The flowers that the princess held are rotten,

     Crushed beneath her slipper on the floor.

The chivalry of knights-in-armour's ended,

     Fading like a fable into time,

The castle and the walls are undefended,

     Empty like an ancient nursery rhyme.

     But you and I must fight, and not surrender

          All the dreams of yesterday we knew;

     The grown-ups better listen and remember

          Storybooks and treasure maps are true.

The demons and the dragons are all sleeping,

     The giant's resting quiet in his bed,

The witches and the wizards now are keeping

     Company with dreams that all are dead.

You and I must stand against tomorrow,

     Fighting off the fear of growing old,

Dreams aren't something you can steal or borrow,

     You don't beg them back once they've been sold.

     But you and I must fight, and not surrender

          All the dreams of yesterday we knew;

     The grown-ups better listen and remember

          Storybooks and treasure maps are true.