You Can't Take It with You
Life's True Riches: Beyond Wealth and Fame
Lyrics
You might have a happy family, nice house, fine car
You may have a happy family, a nice house, and a fine car.
You might be successful in real estate
You might find success in real estate.
You could even be a football star
You could even be a football star.
You might have a prime time T.V. show seen in every home and bar
You may have a prime time T.V. show that's seen in every home and bar.
But you can't take it with you
Regardless of your achievements, you cannot take them with you (to the afterlife).
You might own a great big factory, oil wells on sacred land
You might own a large factory and have oil wells on sacred land.
You might be in line for promotion, with a foolproof retirement plan
You might be in line for a promotion with a foolproof retirement plan.
You might have your money in copper, textiles or imports from Japan
You may have investments in copper, textiles, or imports from Japan.
But you can't take it with you
Regardless of your wealth or possessions, you cannot take them with you.
You can't take it with you thought you might pile it up high
Emphasizes the idea that accumulating wealth is futile as it cannot be taken with you after death.
It's so much easier for a camel to pass through a needle's eye
Refers to the difficulty of parting with material wealth, comparing it to the biblical saying about a camel passing through a needle's eye.
You might have a body of fine proportion and a hungry mind
You might have a physically attractive body and a curious, intelligent mind.
A handsome face and a flashing wit, lips that kiss and eyes that shine
Describes physical attractiveness, charm, and intelligence with features like a handsome face, flashing wit, and alluring eyes.
There might be a queue all around the block
Suggests popularity and demand, possibly in a social or romantic context.
Long before your starting time
Implies fame or recognition with a long queue of admirers before the person's scheduled appearance.
But you can't take it with you
Despite all these qualities, you cannot take them with you beyond life.
You might have a great reputation so carefully made
You might have a well-crafted reputation and high ideals.
And a set of high ideals, polished up and so well displayed
Describes the meticulous presentation of one's values and character.
You might have a burning love inside, so refined, such a special grade
You might have a refined and intense love, a special kind of affection.
But you can't take it with you
Regardless of personal qualities or achievements, they cannot be taken to the afterlife.
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