Sometimes, I wonder by what's life I've lives It's a wonder that I ain't dead Drinking and gambling, staying out all night Just living is a fool's paradise My momma told me and my papa said it too He said, "Son, fate is bound to catch up with you If you keep on drinking and gambling Stay out all night, just living is a fool's paradise" Well, I've learned my lesson Just like all fools I've met Something I've seen in this old world I would like to forget My momma told me, my papa said it right He said, "Son, you're gonna drive right out of sight If you keep on drinking and gambling Staying out all night, just living in a fool's paradise" My momma told me, she sat right down, cried She said, "Son, you're just committing suicide If you keep on drinking and gambling Staying out all night, just living in a fool's paradise" You're just living in a fool's paradise