Better Than Gold
Chasing Fortunes, Finding Wisdom: Better Than Gold
Lyrics
I knew a boy, he was older than me
I encountered a boy who was older than me
He could jump any creek, he could climb any tree
The boy had exceptional skills - crossing creeks and climbing trees
He taught me a lot about breaking the rules
He imparted lessons about defying norms and breaking rules
And he told me a man can be wise or he can be a fool
He shared wisdom that a man can choose to be wise or foolish
Wanting it all
A desire for everything may lead to downfall
Will be your downfall
Excessive wanting or ambition can have negative consequences
Always in the wrong place
Frequent misplacement in the wrong situations
What you're chasing is not there to be found
The sought-after goals may not exist or be unattainable
When I turned eighteen and I went to sea
At eighteen, the narrator ventured to sea, leaving behind foolish pursuits
I forgot about fools and I thought I was free
Believed in freedom, distancing from folly
Ten years went by and you know how it goes
A decade passed, and the narrator chased fortune, avoiding love
I was seeking a fortune and running when love got too close
Running away when love approached too closely
Wanting it all
Reiteration that wanting everything can lead to downfall
Will be my downfall
Recognition that excessive desires have negative consequences
Always in the wrong place
Frequent misplacement in inappropriate situations
What I'm chasing is not there to be found
Acknowledgment that sought-after goals may be elusive
I was a fool for not bearing in mind
Regret for not heeding the older boy's advice
What he said once, that boy who was older than I
Recollection of the older boy's words
Better than gold is the time that you spend
Emphasis on the value of time spent enjoying simple pleasures
Jumping creeks, climbing trees and then breaking some rules with a friend
Specific examples of joyful activities with a friend
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