On the day I was born the sky was a pale shade of grey
I was swaddled in rags and trailed amongst the hay
Though with hard work and good luck I'd tear down the stars from the sky,
I was promised the heavens and cast on the pearls before swine

Well I guess that's the way that it goes,
From the cradle to the grave it's rags to rags I suppose

Well one night faithful and didn't I say my prayers
And I tok care of my own and I did the best I could for the others
And I tried, lord knows, to do right by my fellow man
Now I'm sitting in the street, a beggar with an upturned hand

Well I guess that's the way that it goes,
From the cradle to the grave it's rags to rags I suppose

Now like a wraith I walk the streets alone, too numb to feel
Anything but shame and death nippin' at my heels
And when I'm gone don't you bother to stand and weep at my grave
Just roll the cold plate over and turn and walk away

And say I guess that's the way that it goes,
From the cradle to the grave it's rags to rags I suppose