Mother says, "be careful"
and don't stay out too long
don't do things you shouldn't
miss me when i'm gone

daddy says, "not now son"
well just do the best you can
and you'll make out somehow son
be just like i am, just like i am

you won't need a reason
she don't let you choose
and so, to make the game easy
mother makes the rules

we all know how the rules are
changin' from day to day
that's the breaks, and i'm sorry
some of us must be going
some of us have to stay
some of us may be showing
some just fade away

it's sad to say it's the ending
all the feelin's gone
if you don't mind pretending
you can come along

and mother says she's ready
and if you have the time
she'll help us all to get steady

make us all feel better, make us all feel fine
make us all feel better, make us all feel fine