Remember asking both my mom and dad
Why we never travelled to exotic lands
We only ever really visit’ friends
Nothing to tell when the summer ends
We never really went buying clothes
Folks were passing the stuff in plenty loads
New shoes once a year and then
Out to play ball so we could ruin them

When mama said that is was okay
Mama said that it was quite alright
Our kind of people had a bed for the night
And it was okay
Mama told us we were good kids
And daddy told us never listen to the ones
Pointing nasty fingers and making fun
‘Cause we were good kids

Don’t get me wrong I didn’t have it bad
I got enough lovin’ from my mom and dad
But I don’t think they really understood
When I said that I wanted to deal in Hollywood
I told I might be singing on TV
The other kids were calling me a wannabe
The older kids they started bugging me

But now they’re all standing right in front of me (ha ha)
Mama said that is was okay
Mama said that it was quite alright
Our kind of people had a bed for the night
And it was okay
Mama told us we were good kids
And daddy told us never listen to the ones
Pointing nasty fingers and making fun

‘Cause we were good kids
I know which place I’m from
I know my home
When I’m in doubt and struggling
That’s where I’ll go
And old friend can give advice
When new friends only know the half story
That’s why I always keep them tight
And why I’m okay
I said I’m okay
You know what my mama said?

You know what she told me?
Mama said that is was okay
Mama said that it was quite alright
Our kind of people had a bed for the night
And it was okay
Mama told us that we were good kids
And daddy told us never listen to the ones
Pointing nasty fingers and making fun

‘Cause we were good kids
My mama said that is was okay
Babada baba
Babada baba
Babada baba
My mama said that is was okay
Babada baba
Babada baba
Babada baba
My mama said that is was okay

Once I was seven years old, my mama told me,

“Go make yourself some friends or you’ll be lonely.”

Once I was seven years old

It was a big big world, but we thought we were bigger

Pushing each other to the limits, we were learning quicker

By eleven smoking herb and drinking burning liquor

Never rich so we were out to make that steady figure

Once I was eleven years old. My daddy told me,

“Go get yourself a wife or you’ll be lonely.”

Once I was eleven years old

I always had that dream like my daddy before me

So I started writing songs, I started writing stories

Something about that glory,

Just always seemed to bore me

‘Cause only those I really love will ever really know me

Once I was twenty years old.

My story got told

Before the morning sun, when life was lonely

Once I was twenty years old

(Lukas Graham!)

I only see my goals, I don’t believe in failure

‘Cause I know the smallest voices. They can make it major

I got my boys with me at least those in favor

And if we don’t meet before I leave, I hope I’ll see you later

Once I was twenty years old.

My story got told

I was writing about everything I saw before me

Once I was twenty years old

Soon we’ll be thirty years old,

Our songs have been sold

We’ve traveled around the world and we’re still roaming

Soon we’ll be thirty years old

I’m still learning about life

My woman brought children for me

So I can sing them all my songs

And I can tell them stories

Most of my boys are with me

Some are still out seeking glory

And some I had to leave behind

My brother I’m still sorry

Soon I’ll be sixty years old, my daddy got sixty-one

Remember life and then your life becomes a better one

I made a man so happy when I wrote a letter once

I hope my children come and visit once or twice a month

[2x]

Soon I’ll be sixty years old,

Will I think the world is cold

Or will I have a lot of children who can warm me?

Soon I’ll be sixty years old

Once I was seven years old, my mama told me,

“Go make yourself some friends or you’ll be lonely.”

Once I was seven years old

Once I was seven years old

Do you know the different stages of life? Match the words and the definitions.

Key: 1-f, 2-j, 3-c, 4-k, 5-a, 6-g, 7-b, 8-e, 9-d, 10-h, 11-l