Taught as a boy we were poor men and only the strongest survive
They say the world it's for the taking and taking will prove you're alive
So I sat at the foot of a general she asked me to sing her my song
She stopped me as I was just getting started and said: Kid you got it all wrong

It's yours once you give it away, once you give it away
It's yours once you give it away

Spent a life hoarding diamonds, silver and gold upon my sleeves
Yes I had the world's biggest necklace, but one day found I couldn't breathe
So I started shedding possessions, left all the boys and all the girls
Believing that I needed nothing I said my goodbyes to the whole world

It's yours once you give it away, once you give it away
It's yours once you give it away
It's yours once you give it away, once you give it away
It's yours once you give it away

And I sat in such strange positions turned my body every which way
Fasted and fainted and found that the act I forgot how to play
So I left the bank of the river and traveled to far away lands
Knowing if I needed something I just had to empty my hands

It's yours once you give it away, once you give it away
It's yours once you give it away
It's yours once you give it away, once you give it away
It's yours once you give it away