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At the top of a wide canyon
Stood a mighty guardrail
There to protect the park's visitors
From falling over the steep cliff
To be dashed on the rocks
2000 feet below
Visitors could stand at the guardrail
And take in the breathtaking view
They knew they were safe
And thanks to the rail
There would be no falling
But for a few
Looking wasn't enough
They wanted to jump off the cliff
To feel the wind in their face
But the guardrail held them back
They complained to the park ranger
They claimed the rail violated their right
To jump over the edge
To feel the wind in their face
As they soared
And the foolish park ranger listened
He took away the guardrail
Their rights were more important than their safety
He forbade the building of a new rail
Because it would make a few uncomfortable
Never mind the agony they would feel
When they landed on the rocks
As their bones shattered
2000 feet below
And so the few visitors jumped
Two by two
Two men together, two women together
The park ranger cheered
As his foolish guests got their wish
He was happy for them
As they soared over the landscape
They spread their arms and thrilled
To feel the wind in their face
Not a rail or a parachute in their way
Some reached the edge of the cliff
And as they looked down
They realized their folly
And wisely turned back
Others jumped
And as they looked down
They saw the long fall to the ground
They scrambled to the side of the cliff
And took hold of the ropes that those above threw down to them
But some chose to soar
These pairs of jumpers held hands
They turned over in midair
And took in the thrilling cliff
Towering 1500 feet above
And so they plummeted
Backs to the ground
Blinded by their greed
Too full of their rights
To realize there was a problem
And so they realized too late
That the guardrail had been there
Not to deprive them of a thrilling ride
But to protect them from a deadly plunge
And they never lived to tell the tale
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