i was told a million times of all the troubles in my way tried to grow a little wiser little better ev'ry day but if i crossed a million rivers and i rode a million miles then i'd still be where i started bread and butter for a smile well i sold a million mirrors in a shop in alley way but i never saw my face in any window any day well they say your folks are telling you to be a superstar but i tell you just be satisfied to stay right where you are keep yourself alive keep yourself alive it'll take you all your time and a money honey you'll survived well i've loved a million women in a belladonic haze and i ate a million dinners brought to me on silver trays give me ev'rything i need to feed my body and my soul and i'll grow a little bigger maybe that can be my goal i was told a million times of all the people in my way how i had to keep on trying and get better ev'ry day but if i crossed a million rivers and i rode a million miles then i'd still be where i started same as when i started keep yourself alive keep yourself alive it'll take you all your time and a money honey you'll survive keep yourself alive keep yourself alive it'll take you all your time and a money to keep me satisfied do you think you're better ev'ry day no i think i'm two steps nearer to my grave keep yourself alive keep yourself alive you take your time and take more money keep yourself alive keep yourself alive keep yourself alive all you people keep yourself alive keep yourself alive keep yourself alive it'll take you all your time and money to keep me satisfied keep yourself alive keep yourself alive all you people keep yourself alive take you all your time and money honey you'll survive