Van Dyke Parks - Be Careful lyrics

At the age of nine my father said to me Son you're growing fine I'm very proud to see Soon a man you'll be with all the zest for life But your greatest test will be to choose a wife Be careful, son be careful. All that glitters isn't gold Be careful. Son be careful, movin' round toward the young and the old You must watch them twice That is my advice You'll find they're nice from far, but far from nice. Marriage is not a sport, it is no game to play Once they have you caught, it's hard to get away Behind every great man there's a woman, that's true But she has a hand in every downfall too Every lady is a woman though nature's act But every woman is not a lady and that is a fact! To comprehend the difference it will take a lot, For they both pretend to be what they are not.