“Be Who You Are All the Time”
Dr. Scott Simpson – songwriter
with Mrs. Coauette’s 5th Grade Class
©2025 Dr. Scott Simpson
(Verse 1)
Born in ’45, last year of the war.
Ozark hills, small farm to explore.
Mare named Molly, grandpa’s ride.
Little town roots, never left her side.
Met Dave at church, hand in hand.
Sixty-two years, made their stand.
Memphis streets, to Nebraska fields,
Love held steady ’cause it was real.
(Chorus)
Be who you are. Know your name.
Keep your word. Stay the same.
Want the best—yours and mine.
Be who you are, all the time.
(Verse 2)
Second grade start, kids and books.
Goals not scolds, gentle looks.
Nebraska plains, Lubbock wide,
Any school— she’d step inside.
York College halls, dreams took shape,
Two-year school they helped remake.
Led with vision, opened gates,
Dean of Education—Black Hills State.
(Chorus)
(Bridge)
Goat on a float, she bailed fast.
“Horse doo-vers” joke still makes her laugh.
Things get scary, courage can shine—
“Stick with it, don’t jump next time.”
(Verse 3)
Spearfish Canyon, pines that climb.
Log cabin walls, old as time.
Wainscot boards, family’s thread,
Leaves turn gold, a life well led.
(Chorus)
(Tag)
Quiet porch, creek keeps time.
Be who you are, all the time.
1. Pat was born in ‘45
Oklahoma, wide and alive.
With Loy and Mildred, sisters too,
In the Ozark hills she grew.
2. Mama cooked at the school café,
Daddy piped gas through the town each day.
Life was busy, life was bright,
Pat grew up with a laugh so bright!
3. In third grade came a goat on parade,
Munching hay from the float they made—
Pat took on look, gave great big shout,
And leapt from the float to scramble out!
4. By sixth grade, trying foods brand-new,
She called hors d’oeuvres “horse doovers” too,
Not much for sports, but she could sing,
Her voice would rise and make hearts ring!
5. At York she cared for dorm-room gals,
Then hit the books and wowed her pals.
Marriage, children, classes done–
Teaching fifth grade was pure fun!
6. She met sweet David in church one day,
And 62 years have danced away.
Scott and Steve, her pride and cheer,
Self-discipline kept things clear.
7. From teacher’s desk to Dean’s big chair,
Doctor Simpson worked with care.
But still she says, in truth so fine:
“Be genuine, set boundaries, and shine!”
8. Now Spearfish Canyon’s where she stays,
In a mining cabin tucked away.
Dreams of Banff’s peaks and Mackinaw’s Isle,
Pizza with meat makes Pat smile.
9. The Velveteen Rabbit’s her favorite read,
Rock ‘n’ Roll beats still fill her need,
And if you should meet her, here’s the cue:
Pat Simpson’s heart is real and true!