That big one over there he's a tough guy for a living Till some meaner new guy comes along If he's lucky there'll be someone there to say to him Keep him in his place when he goes wrong Please pardon me there's a part of me That's wantin' to go free like it oughta be Please pardon me If I said I couldn't help myself for lack of better reasons Is it worth the fall to make the climb Cause in the bigger scheme of things what shatters your illusions Seems like it's the right thing at the time Please pardon me... Everybody's alibi got the wings but just can't fly [ guitar ] Please pardon me... Lots of folks have left so far I can't say that I blame them Because of that ol' earthquake in the ground Someday we'll all meet up again where there's many mansions Till then I'm gonna miss 'em sticking round Please pardon me... Please pardon me...