In the coalmines of my beginning The goings there were very hard All the toil and sweat I put in Was someone else's living Was someone else's living Hey now, that's a thought A crowd to carry out my lot Right there in front of me I saw the fate I sought Struck a deal with a master miner He drove a bargain to the end Cost me nights and nights of worry But look what I was getting But look what I was getting Hey now, look at me I'm not the man I used to be A clear-eyed view of things Two feet on the floor Now the sky is fair Everything I have to spare See me standing straight Back is bet no more I'll make my home on Commissioner And all sin my only friend I'll take your life on Commissioner Your soul will scream with me again It's a pleasure living in ease When all you have to do is wait Having all is my Achilles It doesn't matter to me It doesn't matter to me Hey wait, look at me I'm not the hypocrite you see I've paid a heavy price The circus knows my name Little did I know Just how fast old man time goes You have to learn to lose If you play the game