Nobody But Me

By Barbara J. Porter

Choose the right way and be happy (Children’s Songbook, page 161).

When I play with a friend and he wants to go first,

And he went first yesterday—

Or he tells me I have to go home or find somewhere else to play—

And I feel like crying or hitting him, or yelling angrily,

I tell myself that nobody can make me mad

But me.

When I look at the boys who are older than I

And they seem so big and strong,

And I sometimes get discouraged because growing takes so long,

I do some extra push-ups and whisper quietly

That nobody can make me strong

But me.

When I want to take the dollar that is sitting on the shelf

And go down to the drugstore so I can treat myself,

And I’m sure Mom won’t remember that she left it there last night,

I tell myself that only I

Can make me choose the right.