My family handed down tradition
I chose to pass it by
I had in mind a new rendition 
of how to live my life
I chose the road of least resistance
It didn't justify existence
It only paved the way for a softer fall

So, win or lose I had no choice
but to listen to the voice that said
boy, give it all that you can give
You can let life pass you by
or you can live

Sittin' in a wicker rocker 
shinin' in the shade
She remembered just for me
all her glory days
Then she paused and fought her tears
She said she flew right through those years
and now the days they crawl on one by one

She said, win or lose she had no choice
but to listen to the voice that said
girl, give it all that you can give
You can let your life pass you by
or you can live

No excuse needs no reply
you live each day and it goes by
and in the end we've been a 
speck in time

So, win or lose its your choice
you can listen to the voice that says
give it all that you can give
You can let life pass you by
or you can live

You can let your life pass you by
or you can live