Well my mommy told me that life, was no masquerade.
And to never walk in no ones parade.
Yes and my daddy taught never to go on like no renegade.
And to never follow in no ones crusade.
Well im danmmed if i do,
And im danmed if i dont.
Well then if i dont,
Well then i probably wont.
Well my sister once,
Well she taught me just how to make lemonade.
And from out of the sun,
Brother slip into the shade.
Yes and my big brother, once,
Willie taught me just how to play the ace of spades.
Never once a morning without marmalade.
Well those days are gone, and those days are gone bye now.
And thinking about them, Oh makes me cry somehow.
And those days well thier over my shoulder.
And now look at me well im getting older.
Time in a bottle, baby and a rattle.
Well i used to know her oh when she was so small.
And I dont recognize her at all.
Time in a bottle, baby and a rattle .
Once a man is twice a child,
And everything is just for a while.
Oh its just for a while,
So keep a smile upon your face,
Oh young child.
For were only dancing on this earth,
For a short while.
Well my auntie Bea,
Well she insitilled in me,
All philosophy.
And that was always to try and help the needy.
Well my uncle G well he instilled in me another philosophy, very importhant to me .
And that was to never go on so greedy.
Well. Those days are gone, and those days are gone bye now.
And thinking about them, Oh makes me cry somehow.
And those days well there over my shouder.
And now look at me well im getting older.
Time in a bottle, baby and a rattle.
Once a man is twice a child,
And everything is just for a while.
Time in a bottle, baby and a rattle.
Well I used to know him when he was but a child .
And its only there for while.
Oh keep your smile.
Well my mommy told me that life was no masquerade.