Adventure on the Highway

ADVENTURE ON THE HIGHWAY!

Hitch-hiking! Do any of you remember?

Do you, too, recall a time

When we launched ourselves out on the highway,

With never a thought of crime?

When nobody raised an eyebrow

As we headed out the door!

Not even Mum expressed concern;

She didn't say 'Are you sure?'

We stood beside the highway

Giving cars a smiling glance

Not ever realising

We were taking quite a chance!

Of course, foul murders happened,

But no-one would murder us.

So no-one thought to question

And no-one thought to fuss.

And so it was lightheartedly

Each raised a hopeful thumb.

We were filled with girlish excitement

Wondering what would come.

And something always came along,

A limousine or truck,

Maybe a good-looking driver,

With a little bit of luck.

Most often married couples

Out for a casual ride,

Would slow down and invite us in,

And we'd merrily jump inside.

It was almost motorised roulette,

An exciting game of chance.

In such a fashion, blithely,

We 'hitched' to the South of France,

The Isle of Wight and Scotland

And places far and wide.

And now it is forbidden;

That freedom is denied.

The world has made such progress

It's leaving us behind,

But, somehow, it's less carefree

Less guileless and less kind.

And I'm glad I lived in my day

When a girl could thumb a ride

In freedom and security

All over the countryside.

The nineteen-fifties were boring,

That's what they like to say,

But we were having a great time!

I'm glad I'm not young today.