| 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 |
| 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 |
| '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 |
| 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 |
| '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' |
| The way the time’s a-hurryin' |
| Meantime sure is a-worryin' me |
| Oh me, poor me |