Past Lives

I don’t remember being born, I don’t remember how it felt
I never knew the deal or the way it was dealt
I know it was in August and I heard it was hot
I know I got a mother who loves me a lot
Do you believe in past lives?
Haven’t I met you before?
When they said that I was dead
It wasn’t true, I was just dead to you
And I ain’t dead anymore
Maybe I was an outlaw or the law itself
Maybe I was a rich man or a rich man’s help
Perhaps I lived in China, perhaps I loved in vain
Maybe I missed the boat but made the train
Do you believe in past lives?
Haven’t I met you before?
When they said that I was dead
It wasn’t true, I was just dead to you
And I ain’t dead, I ain’t dead anymore
I wish that I were good, no man, I wish that I were great
I wish that I’d been early more often than late
But nothing lasts forever, maybe that’s fate
When you’re alive you’re alright, when you’re dead you’re a saint
Do you believe in past lives?
Haven’t I met you before?
Oh honey when they said, «Scolnick is dead»
It wasn’t true, I was just dead to you
Well, I ain’t dead, I ain’t dead anymore