The class reunion invitation was delivered to me today It brought back burning mem'ries of a happy yesterday I went to my cedar chest got down on my knees The chest that once was full of hope is now a box of memories As I carefully open up the box my mind wanders back To all the things we used to do me and Billy Jack Here's the first note he wrote and gave me in the hall It asked if I'd stay after school to watch him play football The chest that once was full of hope is now a box of memories Here are the tickets dubbed for my first picture show I'd seen him talkin' to Rita Gail and I almost didn't go The corsage I wore to the senior prom pressed and dried The scarf he tied around my hair for a motorcycle ride The chest that once was full of hope is now a box of memories Here's his lettered sweater with a patch Player of the year And the handkerchief I'd used to wipe away all my tears When he was playing chicken to prove the greatness of his nerve And a speeding car killed my dreams on Dead Man's Curve The chest that once was full of hope is now a box of memories Yes the chest that once was full of hope is now a box of memories