ooh, I'd rather have my life than be unborn, yes, I'd rather have a bad time than no time at all
ooh, I'd rather take the storm than be becalmed, yes, I'd rather have my life than be unborn
but, if I was a monkey up a tree, well, all you big old blackbirds would come and take a peck at me
but, I'd rather have that life than be unborn, yes, I'd rather take that writing off the wall
harmonica break--- E G D x4
well, now, if I was a monkey up a tree, or, down in some old basement over at 32nd Street
but, I'd rather live a nightmare that's my own, yes, I'd rather take that writing off the wall
sometimes I think I must be going crazy, 'cause most people seem to value that that hasn't any worth
well, that's their business now you know I'm easy, as long as they don't count on me to do their dirty work
I'd rather be the rain than be a pond, yes, I'd rather I had nothing than had something that I'd borne
yes, I'd rather make my church the open road, yes, I'd rather wipe that writing off the wall
well, now, if I was a monkey up a tree, or, in some dirty basement down on 32nd Street
well, I'd rather take my life than be unborn, yes, I'd disregard that writing on the wall
harmonica break--- E G D x4
sometimes I think I must be going crazy, most people seem to value that that hasn't any worth
well, that's their business now you know I'm easy, as long as they don't count on me to do their dirty work
ooh, I'd rather have my life than be unborn, yes, I'd rather have a bad time than no time at all
yes, I'd rather take that storm than be becalmed, yes, I'd rather have my life than be unborn
ooh, give me just one wish and leave me be, yeah, give me some old shack up on that rocky mountain scene
but, I'd rather have my life than be unborn, yes, I'd rather wipe that writing off the wall