Once there was a shopping center
Several years ago
That had a lively carousel
Where Children loved to go.
 
Benches set around, nearby
Where folks could rest awhile
And watch the happy faces of
Each animated child.
 
Whoops and hollers could be heard
In all the shops, of course,
Enticing “kids” of every age
To come and ride a horse,

Or bear, or fish or tiger
Maybe even a giraffe,
Have a birthday party
And take pictures--lots of laughs.

 Young men helped their girlfriends up
Then quickly climbed upon
Steeds that looked the fastest
And, hoo-rah! the race was on!
 
Grandpas raced their grandsons,
And kids gave horses names
Like Bullet, Comet, Rocketman,
And played all sorts of games.

The calliope played on and on
As children rode the range,
Until the music sl-ow-ly stopped—
Time for a rider change.

From babes in laps of happy dads
To grannies feeling young
The Shopping Center Carousel
Gave joy to everyone
 
 And so, there was sadness when
It was shut down for good
It’d been a happy pastime
In our little neighborhood.