Pa and Ma and Sis and Jimmy
Went out for a drive and some drunken lawyer hit 'em
Everybody but the lawyer died

Pa had lots of debts so I went and sold the farm
I'm living in a tenament and I'm starvin'
I've got rat bites on my arms

(Chorus)

Yeah, but life could be worse, things could get bad
I'm lucky I guess to remember what I had, ohh

Waiting in the line one day for a
Bit of soup and bread I met Miss Alicia
And this is what she said

"Keep your chin up Bobby, smile when you talk"
Then she went away now,
She went away with Pa's gold watch

(Chorus 2)

Yeah, but life could be worse, things could get bad
I'm lucky I guess to remember what I had, ohh
I'm lucky I guess to remember what I had

Now I'm working out on Davie Street
For a man called Eddie Bones, I give him half of what I make
And he leaves me alone

I don't deal no rough trade, like the corner cowboys do
I'm a temporary resident
Of Lonely Avenue

(Chorus 3)
Yeah, but life could be worse, things could get bad
Life could be worse
Life could be worse!
I'm lucky I guess to remember what I had, ohh
I'm lucky I guess to remember what I had, ohh
I'm lucky I guess to remember what I had