Lady of the house used to tell me stories Of my old man and his days of glory One day he sent us away And not a thing she could do But to say it's okay First she says that I'll change the world Then she says that I'm getting too old Lady, make up your mind 'Cause Jackie's waiting outside And when the sun goes down In the eyes of a smiling child Old folks they'll tell you That it's no surprise And it's just a matter of time I ain't got half of what I can take Time is short and time won't wait Time is slipping through The hands of Jackie Faye And then Jackie came running down the street Then she banged on my window and then she said "I wrote this song, I can't figure out its key But I've named it The Way It's Gonna Be" And when the sun goes down In the eyes of a smiling child Old folks they'll tell you That it's no surprise And it's just a matter of time Until you're torn apart And you wish you were back at the start And you bet that she feels really proud Now that she turned tables on you And you bet that she feels really proud Now that Cain took the stone And he hit Abel And so the children will sing Let them sing now And when the sun goes down In the eyes of a smiling child Old folks say that it's no surprise And it's just a matter of time Until you're torn apart And you wish you were back at the start And you bet that she feels really proud Now that she turned tables on you And you bet that she feels really proud Now that Cain took the stone And he killed Abel And it's just a matter of time And it's just a matter of time