If you ain't enjoyin' now

by Stephen M. Golden

Copyright © 23 June 1990

Verse 1

I went walkin’ through the park one Sunday, fretttin’ over my plans.

It seems nothin’s goin’ as expected against the fallin’ sands.

An old man sittin’ on a park bench eyed me, and after a draw on his pipe said,

“If you ain’t enjoyin’ now, you missin’ out on life.”

Chorus:

“Some people worry ’bout the future, hopin’ their ship comes in.

Some people fret about their past misfortunes — they can never win.”

The old man smiled as he pointed at me, somehow I knew he was right.

If you ain’t enjoyin’ now, you missin’ out on life.

Verse 2

I gave the old man a look of annoyance and started to walk away.

I’ll be happy when this or that happens — a month, a week, or a day.

I turned and said, “There’s no time for the present!

Don’t you know money is tight?” He said,

“If you ain’t enjoyin’ now, you missin’ out on life.”

Chorus

“Some people worry ’bout the future, hopin’ their ship comes in.

Some people fret about their past misfortunes — they can never win.”

The old man smiled as he pointed at me, somehow I knew he was right.

If you ain’t enjoyin’ now, you missin’ out on life.

(Musical Verse Interlude)

Chorus

“Some people worry ’bout the future, hopin’ their ship comes in.

Some people fret about their past misfortunes — they can never win.”

The old man smiled as he pointed at me, somehow I knew he was right.

If you ain’t enjoyin’ now, you missin’ out on life.

Verse 3

I started thinkin’ bout how I spent all my free time.

The future’s where my thoughts stayed.

The old man’s words kept naggin’ at me. “You missin’ out on today!”

Now I enjoy the world around me, don’t let it pass me by. Cause,

“If you ain’t enjoyin’ now, you missin’ out on life.”

Chorus

“Some people worry ’bout the future, hopin’ their ship comes in.

Some people fret about their past misfortunes — they can never win.”

The old man smiled as he pointed at me, somehow I knew he was right.

If you ain’t enjoyin’ now, you missin’ out on life.

Alt Chorus:

“If you ain’t enjoyin’ now, you wastin’ your life.

Got to live in the present. Make use of the light“

The old man gave his wisdom freely,

Leaned back and puffed on his pipe.

“If you ain’t enjoyin’ now, you missin’ out on life.”