Big brother had a treehouse club when he was only ten
I didn't know the secret code, so they wouldn't let me in
They told me I was much too young for the kind of games they played
I remember, I would sit and cry, wishin' I was twice my age.

My grandpa was the only one with a sympathetic ear
Patiently, he'd comfort me when I was close to tears
And I'd say gramps, why does it take so long for time to pass
And he'd say, sport, life's too short no matter how long it lasts.

Too soon you'll see how suddenly tomorrow becomes the past
Life's too short no matter how long it lasts.

At twenty-one, they called me home, cause Grandpa's time was near
We gathered 'round his bedside, fighting back the tears
I said, Grandpa, we can't let you go, even though you're ninety-three
He said, I'd love to stay, but it ain't up to me.

And then, we heard him whisper in a voice that was fading fast
Life's too short no matter how long it lasts.

Today my little grandson came and climbed up on my knee
He said, why can't I be all grown up, instead of only three
And then, those old familiar words came tumbling from the past
And, I said, sport, life's too short no matter how long it lasts.

Too soon you'll see how suddenly tomorrow becomes the past
Life's too short no matter how long it lasts.

Life's much too short, no matter how long it lasts...