Ow
Yeah, yeah
When I was a young skinny boy
My mama said to me

The world out there is hard 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 gotta try to keep your head above the water
That's what my mama told me

You gotta 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
Lived my life in so many ways

To find out who I am
Time's approaching
I really can say
Truly I understand

Got more livin' to do for myself
To run along now
Play along later
Stay up by the shelf

Sing it girls
Gotta try to keep your head above the water
Yes you do yes you do
You gotta 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

All the world is turnin' slow
Slowly it will die
But that is something I never will see
I don't know why

Tryin' to take the world the best I can
Write a bit now
Love a bit later
Stand up like a man

Hey, hey
Gotta try to keep your head above the water
Yes you do yes you do yes you do
Gotta 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

Writer : LAMM, ROBERT WILLIAM
Copyright : Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., DON WILLIAMS MUSIC GROUP