I was a tenderfoot scout
And I learned the laws by heart
Be trustworthy, loyal, helpful
Friendly, courteous, kind
Obedient, cheerful, thrifty
Brave, clean, and reverent
That's the way I learned them
And that's the way they've stayed
In my mind

I was a second-class scout
And I learned to use a knife and axe
And I learned to use a compass
And I learned to tell direction
By the stars
And I learned to swim
And I learned to save a life
And I learned to tie a knot
That would hold
And I learned to build a fire
That would burn
And I learned to cook a meal
That was good
And I learned to pitch a tent
That was tight
And I learned to read a map
That was right
And I learned to hike a trail
That was long
And I learned to sing a song
That was strong

I was a first-class scout
And I learned to lead a patrol
And I learned to plan a project
And I learned to teach a skill
And I learned to set a goal
And I learned to reach it
And I learned to live the oath
And the law
Every day

I was an Eagle scout
And I learned to serve my country
And I learned to serve my community
And I learned to serve my God
And I learned to serve my fellow man
And I learned that the highest rank
Is not the one on my uniform
But the one in my heart

I am an old scout now
And I look back on my life
And I see that the lessons I learned
In the Boy Scouts
Have guided me every step of the way
And I am grateful
For the values that were instilled in me
And for the friendships that I made
And for the adventures that I had
And for the memories that I cherish
And for the man that I became

I am a scout for life
And I will always be
Trustworthy, loyal, helpful
Friendly, courteous, kind
Obedient, cheerful, thrifty
Brave, clean, and reverent
That's the way I learned them
And that's the way they'll stay
In my heart