Go first in the world, go forth with your fears   Remember a price must be paid   Be always too soon, be never too fast   At the time when all bets must be laid      Beware of the darkness, be kind to your children   Remember the woman who waits   And the house you live in will never fall down   If you pity the stranger who stands at your gate      When you're caught by the gale and you're full under sail   Beware of the dangers below   And the song that you sing should not be too sad   And be sure not to sing it too slow      Be calm in the face of all common disgraces   And know what they're doin' it for   And the house you live in will never fall down   If you pity the stranger who stands at your door      When you're out on the road and feelin' quite lost   Consider the burden of fame   And he who is wise will not criticize   When other men fail at the game      Beware of strange faces and dark dingy places   Be careful while bending the law   And the house you live in will never fall down   If you pity the stranger who stands at your door      When you're down in the dumps and not ready to deal   Decide what it is that you need   Is it money or love, is it learnin' to live   Or is it the mouth you must feed      Be known as a man who will always be candid   On questions that do not relate   And the house you live in will never fall down   If you pity the stranger who stands at the gate   And the house you live in will never fall down   If you pity the stranger who stands at the gate