Al, he sells records down on old st. charley's street

He's cleaning up fat tuesday's mess he keeps the sidewalks neat

And he just lost his father and he just lost his wife

And if it wasn't for the music he couldn't get on with his life



And he knows what i know

It's not all that hard to survive

You take the good and the bad and the time in between

It lets us know we're alive



Well now be be's singing gospel

And down on bourbon she sings the blues

She plays on all my heart strings curls my toes up in my shoes

And she knows what i'm after

Chase my dreams with all my might

She says you shouldn't be so anxious and deep down i know she's right



And she knows what i know

It's not all that hard to survive

You take the good and the bad and the time in between

It lets us know we're alive



Well get on board the rocket

Step right into the front car

You know life's a roller coaster

It ain't got no safety bar

Raise your voices up with laughter

Bring it in with one big sigh

Consecrated in the wonder .... we're alive



Norman he plays music but only in my dreams

Shows me all the beauty that soulful music brings

But sometimes he's a spectre and i wake up clenched with fear

But lesson good or bad he always keeps me clear



And he knows what i know

It's not all that hard to survive

You take the good and the bad and the time in between

It lets us know we're alive