They'Re Tearing Down Saint Ann's

They're tearing down Saint Ann's As I shed a nostalgic tear Part of my childhood gone Where I spent my sophomore year It was September of sixty one Our very first week of class It was only a short walk from school To the Church where we attended Mass Coal region was different then We smoked on the morning ride Each town held something special A sense of purpose, a sense of pride Saint Ann's dances on a Sunday night Quarter admission seven to ten Jesse Belvin "Goodnight My Love" Hitch a ride home back then Basketball game downstairs at lunch Or play horsie against the wall Sneak a cigarette in the boys room Passing notes in the hall. My Place was the local hangout Jukebox in the back Sometimes playing match pack football No one keeping track Now the stained glass windows are gone And tears flow like falling rain Soon they'll raze the building Only memories will remain They're tearing down Saint Ann's Feel a longing in my soul They're tearing down Saint Ann's As progress takes its toll.