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:

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.

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 in somebody else
Now my lover is gone, drove him too far, drove him to the arms of another's love
I lost a love so warm and tender, 'cause I failed to remember

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

(Musical interlude)

Everybody ought to 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
 
Everybody ought to 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
 
Everybody ought to 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
 
Everybody ought to 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
 
Everybody ought to 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
 
Everybody ought to 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