Childhood Hero - Janis Ian

I can’t believe so much could go so wrong

It seems like every door is closed to me

I wake every morning resolved to be strong

I tell myself I keep good company

I can’t believe that this is my life

There’s always been someone to shelter me

Now I’m out there on the streets without a knife

Being told I’m ancient history

The doors that close once opened wide

I try to take it all in stride

And hold my head up to the sky

But now they slam right in my face

With unseen hands that can’t be traced

And leave a bruise that even you cannot erase

They say that art’s become an industry

And that I’ve been away too long this time

They say I’ve taken too much liberty

Well what kind of punishment fits that crime?

They say success came much too fast

I never learned to suffer or to beg

Just look at the bruises I’ve amassed

I’ve paid my dues now — can we start again?

The doors that close once opened wide

I try to take it all in stride

And think of better times gone by

But I’ve heard everyone’s excuse

It’s no longer any use

I might have been your childhood hero

I might have been your native son

But I was grounded close to zero

Now that rocket ride is done

And if I never reach Orion

And if I never fly that far

Still, there’s no harm in trying

To go walking on a star