We Are The People Our Parents Warned Us About
By: Jimmy Buffett
1983
For Ed Polock
I was supposed to have been a Jesuit priest or a Naval Academy grad
That was the way that my parents perceived me
Those were the plans that they had
But I couldn't fit the part too dumb or too smart
Ain't it funny how we all turned out
I guess we are the people our parents warned us about

You know I coulda worked the rigs when the money was big
Or hopped a freighter south to Trinidad
And when they tried to draft me I earned a college degree
Buyin' time 'til things were not so bad
But then I got a guitar found a job in a bar
Playin' acid rock 'til I was numb
Tell me where are the flashbacks they all warned us would come

Chorus:
We are the people, they couldn't figure out
We are the people our parents warned us about

Hey hey, Gardner McKay
Take us on the Leaky Tiki with you
Clear skies bound for Shanghai
Sailing cross the ocean blue (do do do dooo)
So blue (do do do dooo OOOH)
(do do do dooo)
(do do do dooo OOOH)

Now I got quarters in my loafers tryin' to fight inflation
When it only used to take a cent
Sometimes I wish I was back in my crashpad days
'Fore I knew what cash flow meant

Seems everybody's joggin' or heavy into health shit
Don't tell me that I ought to get rolfed
'Cause I love cajun martinis and playin' afternoon golf

Chorus:
We are the people there isn't any doubt
We are the people they still can't figure out
We are the people who love to sing "Twist and Shout"
SHAKE IT UP BABY

We are the people our parents warned us about (do do do dooo)
Id'n' any doubt (do do do dooo OOOH)
Hey hey hey (do do do dooo)
Gardner McKay (do do do dooo, Gardner McKay)
(do do do dooo)
I wanna sail away today (do do do dooo OOOH)
Isn't any doubt (do do do dooo)
They warned us about (do do do dooo OOOH)
Hey hey hey (do do do dooo)
C'mon now Gardner McKay (do do do dooo OOOH)
I wanna sail away today

- Notes:
Background Vocals: Rita Coolidge, David Lasley, Arnold McCuller