(Doo-doo-doo's by backup singers) 

It's too late (too late, too late) 
Said it's too late, yes it is (too late) 
My love is gone away to stay (too late) 
Don't you know it's too late now 
Listen, children, I wanna tell you this 
It's too late to cry (too late to cry) 
It's too late to cry now (too late to cry) 
My love is gone away, yes she has (too late) 
Wo wo (too late) she has (too late) 

(Spoken): 
I just guess that you're wonderin' why I always sing a 
sad song 
But you see, I had a woman who was very good to me 
& I can remember the times she used to sit down & tell 
me these words: 
Said, 'Pickett, I want you to know I love you from the 
bottom of my heart 
& whatever you need, I don't want you to go to your 
mother, your father, your sister or your brother 
When all your money's gone, I want you to know you can 
count on me' 
But I didn't appreciate that woman then 
You know what? I had to run & chase after every little 
girl around town 
So finally one day I got home & I found my little girl 
gone 
& people, you know it hurt me so bad (ha ha) I had to 
hang my little head & cry 
Then I began to read the letter she left for me layin' 
there; it read like this, children 

It's too late, she's gone, oh (she's gone) 
'It's too late I'm gone away' (she's gone) 
Ah yeah (too late) don't you know it, children (too 
late) 
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah 
Say it one more time (too late) listen (too late) 
I wanna hear you understand what I'm talkin' about (too 
late) 
... & fade