The House You Live In Lyrics - Gordon Lightfoot

Go first in the world, go forth with your fears 

Remember a price must be paid 

Be always too soon, be never too fast 

At the time when all bets must be laid 

Beware of the darkness, be kind to your children 

Remember the woman who waits 

And the house you live in will never fall down 

If you pity the stranger who stands at your gate 

When you're caught by the gale and you're full under sail 

Beware of the dangers below 

And the song that you sing should not be too sad 

And be sure not to sing it too slow 

Be calm in the face of all common disgraces 

And know what they're doin' it for 

And the house you live in will never fall down 

If you pity the stranger who stands at your door 

When you're out on the road and feelin' quite lost 

Consider the burden of fame 

And he who is wise will not criticize 

When other men fail at the game 

Beware of strange faces and dark dingy places 

Be careful while bending the law 

And the house you live in will never fall down 

If you pity the stranger who stands at your door 

When you're down in the dumps and not ready to deal 

Decide what it is that you need 

Is it money or love, is it learnin' to live 

Or is it the mouth you must feed 

Be known as a man who will always be candid 

On questions that do not relate 

And the house you live in will never fall down 

If you pity the stranger who stands at the gate 

And the house you live in will never fall down 

If you pity the stranger who stands at the gate