We each had our Luckies, our Camels and Kents,
And Tareytons too, as a rule,
And I have to tell you, we ladies and gents,
We all were so terribly cool.
We took out a Lucifer, lit up a fag
(Our fave, or the thrill of the week);
We sipped our martini, and then took a drag.
Oh, we were so terribly chic.
The way of exhaling, the satisfied smile,
We had it all down to an art.
We owned fancy cases, and lighters with style;
Oh, we were so terribly smart.
We gave little thought to what smoking portends,
Ignoring what might lie ahead;
And I've not forgotten a few special friends
Who now are so terribly dead.