There's lots to be said
For the guy who's not dead,
For the guy who's still breathing the air.
Don't wait for his wake,
But let's bake him a cake
While he's still here to eat up his share.

Chorus:
Bring flowers, bring flowers,
Not lilies, but roses in showers,
Bring lilacs and daisies and daffodils sweet
For the guy who is still on his feet.

We'll all shed a tear,
And moan in our beer
For our buddy when's he's been laid out.
Let's give him a cheer
While he is still here
To hear what we're cheering about.

(Chorus)

The way people die
In the wink of an eye
From every conceivable cause,
When a fellow is found
Who is still above ground,
He deserves our sincerest applause.

(Chorus)

Then here's to the lad,
Be he good, be he bad,
Who batters our ears with his jive;
We'll drink him a cup
When his number is up,
But we like him much better alive.

(Chorus)