(原詩)

When I was a young, skinny boy
My momma said to me
The world out there is hot and dirty
Mean as it wants to be
I know there's gonna be times
When you're down and out
So listen now kid, listen now son
I'll tell you what it's all about

You got to try to keep your head
Above the water
That's what my momma told me
You got to try to keep a step
Ahead of time
And even though you do some things
You shouldn't ought to
Shouldn't ought to
If you love your brothers,
Love will come back to you
Love'll come back to you
Love'll come back to you
Love'll come back to you
Love'll come back to you

I live my life in so many ways
To find out who I am
Time's approaching
I really can say truly, I understand
Got more living to do for myself
So run along now, play along later
Stay up by the shelf
Sing it girls

Got to try to keep your head
Above the water
Yes you do, yes I do
You got to try to keep a step
Ahead of time
Even though you do some things
You shouldn't ought to
If you love your sisters,
Love will come back to you
Love'll come back to you
Love'll come back to you (Ooh)

All the world is turning to stone
Slowly, it will die
But that is something I never will see
I don't know why
Trying to take the world the best I can
Might've been now, probably be later
Stand up like a man

Got to try to keep your head
Above the water
Yes you do, yes you do, yes you do
Got to try to keep a step
Ahead of time
Even though you do some things
You shouldn't ought to
Love your brothers and sisters,
Love'll come back to you
Love'll come back to you
Love'll come back to you
(repeat and fade)