He just can't wait to graduate
He's marking time and counting days
He'll toss that cap and watch that tassel fly
So he can start living
Yeah, finally start living
'Cause he's got big plans
And he'll have time on his hands
To start living

Before he knows ten years are gone
A dead-end job, a mortgage loan
He wonders where the chances passed him by
To really start living
Yeah, he wants to start living
And soon he's sure
He can finally afford
To start living

He'll read more books, he'll make more love
He'll talk more to the man above
He'll watch the sunset in the west
And visit Mexico
He'll learn to cook, he'll play some ball
He'll write that book, he'll make that call
He'll take the time some other time
Someday he'll do it all

Well sittin' in the barber chair
He sees the silver in his hair
Those golden years are comin' right behind
And then he'll start living
He'll really start living
Yeah, he feels tired
Ah, but soon he'll retire
And start living

He'll read more books, he'll make more love
He'll talk more to the man above
He'll watch the sunset in the west
And visit Mexico
He'll learn to cook, he'll play some ball
He'll write that book, he'll make that call
He'll take the time some other time
Someday he'll do it all

Well the doctor says, I've got bad news
Afraid there's nothing we can do
And all at once the tears are in his eyes
He'll never start living
Never really start living
Yeah, he had big plans
But there's no time on his hands
To start living

When he sees the pearly gates
He'll really start living...