Arne Engstrom

It's a Wonderful Life

Honoring Arne Engstrom

It's a Wonderful Life

Cows come and went like chickens
But the horses we had
Lived out their whole life with us
On the farm with mom and dad
Just like cows and chickens
Them dogs come and go
Chasing after cars
Up and down that road

It’s a wonderful life!

Went to a one room school house
Eight grades in one room
Listening to the upper grades
Gave us a good preview
On what to concentrate on
When we moved a grade
Were close with few choices
On the friends that we made

It’s a wonderful life!

Learned to drive a tractor
At seven years of age
Helping Dad with fieldwork
Hauling bales of hay
In the dark without a flashlight
Would dart from house to house
Filled with eggs and chickens
To keep the foxes out

It’s a wonderful life!

Jumping on a cows back
Father said “enough”
Gave me a wild mustang
Like me loved to jump
Wanted to be a cowboy
Now had a horse to ride
With a hired hand all summer
Who taught me how to make her mine

It’s a wonderful life!

When they shut down that country school
Had to go into town
Where no one knew me from Adam
Had to stand my ground
It still bothers me
Be kind no matter if
You know someone or not
We’re all immigrants

Be who you’re meant to be
Be strong, enjoy life
Each of us has a choice
Either wrong or right
There’s no greater calling
I life I believe
Then to help others
To learn, heal, and achieve

It’s a wonderful life!

Words & music by Larry Long with Mr. Evenson’s 5th Grade Class of Meadowvale Elementary School. Elk River, Minnesota.
© Larry Long 2007 / BMI