You Only Live Once (Do What You Mean)

You Only Live Once (Do What You Mean) By Jesse Scobie

Verse
Emaj Amaj
I saw an old man in the local dive bar, drinking away his deep pain
F#min Dmaj Emaj
Sometime later, he was in the parking lot, trying to escape the rain
Emaj Amaj
I saw a young widow, in the corner, drinking bourbon, smoking sorrow
F#min Dmaj Emaj
She lost her husband in the Iraq war, her dreams are dead for tomorrow

Chorus
Dmaj
It’s times like these that we think of everything we’ve done
How fragile and sacred our lives, and loved ones are
Remember when the fabric tears apart at the seem
You only live once, do what you mean

Verse II
I’ve known guitarists, piano players and songwriters in my life
Getting by in the capital city, or in Manhattan with a knife
Sang with your heart, wrote with your hand, what was on your mind
Working dead-end jobs, hustling corners, and living on the line

Chorus
Some people say you only know what you had when it’s gone
I know what I had to give and get, with the words in my song
Although we’ve lived in troubled times, I’m always on the same team
You only live once, do what you mean

Bridge:
Fathers and Mothers try to teach their children well
But it only goes so far, when you’re living in a hell
The preacher speaks wisdom, while politicians screams
You can find morals in the water, long as it’s clean

Verse III
Like Jesus, I am walking through this world of dark alone
Trying to live and forgive those who throw the stones
I don’t think I’ll make it far past the earth and sky
But I’ve done what I can to help the poor and sick survive



Final Chorus
Happiness doesn’t come in a bottle you can buy
It’s not gained through wars, legal fees or marketing your side
It’s about a foundation of truth and not fearing to be seen
You only live once, do what you mean
You can’t live your life like some forgotten dream,
You only live once, do what you mean!