Mr. Rogers Unapplied

We get off the 'L' at Rockwell. The 'L,' for non-residents, is the elevated train -- it is public transportation by rail. There are six of us walking north out of the station. The first three of us go as follows: blue collared shirt and shorts, blue collared shirt and khakis, and then me, blue collared shirt and chinos. The other two are bigger boys than I, but our steps are the same. Why don't we walk and sing...

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?...

But we do not walk and sing...

It's a neighborly day in this beauty wood,
A neighborly day for a beauty.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?...

The last three are a man, a woman, and a child, Mexican, or Salvadoran, or Peruvian, a happy family with a tiny little man who should join in...

I've always wanted to have a neighbor just like you.
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.

And yet no one walks and sings...

So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?
Won't you please,
Won't you please?
Please won't you be my neighbor?

Pity, it could have been so nice.