Night of Joy (spirit of '76)

July 4th, '76, the sky was burning bright, Red, white, and blue, celebrating the night. In the back of a truck, down the Oregon coast, With a girl named Joy, the one I loved the most. She was 14, I was just 12 years old, Her blond hair shimmered like the stories untold. Camp counselor, but she was more to me, That summer night, we felt so free. Joy Barton, with your golden hair, Under the fireworks, we found something rare. A kiss goodnight, with the sky ablaze, Innocence and love in those summer days. Joy Barton, you’ll always be, The girl in my memory, wild and free. Her shirt said “KEEP ON TRUCKING,” so cool and true, Bellbottoms from Shemendifair, in a red, white, and blue hue. Her mom was my teacher, but that didn’t matter, That night we were stars, as the fireworks scattered. We snuggled close, with the ocean's roar, In those moments, I couldn’t ask for more. Her laughter, her smile, they stayed with me, Even after that night, in my dreams, she's still free. Joy Barton, with your golden hair, Under the fireworks, we found something rare. A kiss goodnight, with the sky ablaze, Innocence and love in those summer days. Joy Barton, you’ll always be, The girl in my memory, wild and free. I never saw you again, but you’re always there, In the stars, in the night, in the summer air. That kiss, that night, that feeling inside, Will stay with me forever, no need to hide. Joy Barton, with your golden hair, Under the fireworks, we found something rare. A kiss goodnight, with the sky ablaze, Innocence and love in those summer days. Joy Barton, you’ll always be, The girl in my memory, wild and free. Joy Barton, my first love so true, Even now, I’m still dreaming of you. The girl with the golden hair, In my heart, you’re always there.