[Verse 1]
Before I was born a lot of things happened
A lot of things happened, but not to me
Before I was born a lot of things happened
That I didn't happen to see

[Verse 2]
After I’m gone, a lot of things'll happen
A lot of things'll happen, oh Lord, amen
Yes, after I’m gone, a lot of things'll happen
But I won't know about them

[Chorus]
'Cause it's the meantime, meantime
All they gave me is this in-between time
For my lovin' and my livin'
I gotta do it in the time I'm given
Meantime may mean nothing to posterity
But in the meantime, doin’ nothin’ sure is a-worryin' me

[Verse 3]
Before I was born a lot of love happened
A lot of love happened, there is no doubt
And after I’m gone, a lot of love'll happen
That I'll be doin' without
[Chorus]
’Cause it's the meantime, meantime
All they gave me is this in-between time;
For my lovin' and my livin'
I gotta do it in the time I'm given
Meantime may mean nothing to posterity
But in the meantime, doin' nothin' sure is a-worryin'

[Outro]
The way the time's a-hurryin'
Meantime sure is a-worryin' me
Oh me, poor me