Sometimes, I wonder by what's life I've lives
It's a wonder that I ain't dead
Drinking and gambling, staying out all night
Just living is a fool's paradise

My momma told me and my papa said it too
He said, "Son, fate is bound to catch up with you
If you keep on drinking and gambling
Stay out all night, just living is a fool's paradise"

Well, I've learned my lesson
Just like all fools I've met
Something I've seen in this old world
I would like to forget

My momma told me, my papa said it right
He said, "Son, you're gonna drive right out of sight
If you keep on drinking and gambling
Staying out all night, just living in a fool's paradise"

My momma told me, she sat right down, cried
She said, "Son, you're just committing suicide
If you keep on drinking and gambling
Staying out all night, just living in a fool's paradise"

You're just living in a fool's paradise