Be Careful - Van Dyke Parks

At the age of nine my father said to me

Son you're growing fine I'm very proud to see

Soon a man you'll be with all the zest for life

But your greatest test will be to choose a wife

Be careful son be careful

All that glitters isn't gold

Be careful

Son be careful movin' round toward the young and the old

You must watch them twice

That is my advice

You'll find they're nice from far but far from nice

Marriage is not a sport it is no game to play

Once they have you caught it's hard to get away

Behind every great man there's a woman that's true

But she has a hand in every downfall too

Be careful son be careful

All that glitters isn't gold

Be careful Son be careful movin' round toward the young and the old

You must watch them twice

That is my advice

You'll find they're nice from far but far from nice

Every lady is a woman though nature's act

But every woman is not a lady and that is a fact

To comprehend the difference it will take a lot

Because they both pretend to be what they are not

Be careful son be careful