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