Once upon a time, I was on my own
Once upon a time, like you've never known
Once upon a time, I would be impressed
Once upon a time, my life would be obsessed
Once upon a time, once upon a day when I was in my prime 
Once along the way
                                             
If you want to know my secret
Don't come running after me
For I am just a painter
Passing through in history 
                                             
Yesterday is gone, yesterday's alright
Yesterday belongs in my dreams at night
Yesterday is swell, yesterday is great
Yesterday is strong, remembering can wait
Once upon a time, once upon a day when I was in my prime 
Once along the way                                              

If you want to know an answer I can't turn your life around
For I am just a painter passing through the underground
                                             
I was in my stride, always at my game
Here comes Mister Cool, along the Walk of Fame
I was in demand, always in control
The world was in my hands, my touch had turned to gold
Once upon a time, I was in a daze when I was in my prime
Once along the ways
                                             
If you want to know my secret don't come running after me
For I am just a painter passing through in history

Now that I am old, let me rest a spell
All that I am told, I can never tell
Never in my life, never will it pass
I am still alone, remembering at last
Once upon a time, once upon a day when I was in my prime 
Once along the ways
 
If you want to know an answer I can turn your life around
For I am just a painter passing through the underground
If you want to know my secret don't come running after me
For I am just a painter passing through in history