Future Reflections Winter 1996, Vol. 15 No. 1
The White Cane Freedom March
by Thomas Bickford, Debbie Brown, Lloyd Rasmussen and Ken Silberman
To the Tune of: "As Those Caissons Go Rolling Along"
1. Over hill, over dale, we will hit the concrete trail;
As our white canes go tapping along.
Down the block, cross the street, walking on our own two feet;
As our white canes go tapping along.
On the job or at home, wherever we may roam,
Yes, independent and free! NFB!
We can find our way at night or in the day;
As our white canes go tapping along.
2. On a bus, on a train, even flying on a plane;
As our white canes go tapping along.
As we board, find our seat, no great danger shall we meet;
As our white canes go tapping along.
We're the able blind, so leave your carts behind.
Don't put us in your holding tanks! No thanks!
We'll meet no harm. Take back your helping arm.
As our white canes go tapping along.
3. On we go at full speed. No contraptions do we need;
As our white canes go tapping along.
No rough tiles for our feet, nor the traffic signal's tweet;
As our white canes go tapping along.
No Ph.D.'s, just skillful travelers, please,
Teaching blind people to be free! NFB!
And the rehab snobs can go and find real jobs;
As our white canes go tapping along.
The Lament of the Folding Cane
by Thomas Bickford
to the tune of "A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody"
My folding cane was quite reliable
When it was still brand new.
I'd fold it and then swing it again.
I'd make it small, then use it all
The time, no matter when.
My folding cane is just a memory,
Now that it fell apart.
The elastic stretched and broke.
Four short canes are a joke,
And now my one-piece cane's the cane
That has won my heart.