CHORUS:
Cherish what's dear to you while it's near to you, don't wait 'til it's gone
Cherish what's dear to you while it's near to you, don't wait 'til it's gone

When I was a baby mama rocked me in her arms whenever I cried
She picked me up when life knocked me, she was always there by my side
She said 'One, one day there'll be a man in your life, to take the place of a mother
Now he, he'll give you joy, a happy life, but swear by this advice:

Chorus

I strayed away from mama's advice, and lost the only man in my life
I never gave enough of myself, so he found love with somebody else
Now my lover is gone? drove him to the arms of another's love
I lost a love was warm and tender, 'cause I failed to remember:

Chorus

(Musical interlude)

Repeat Chorus twice