How many pearls did I throw before swine?
How much did I waste on fine women and wine?
Now that I need it, why can’t I find time?
How many pearls did I throw before swine?

How many hours did I spend in the gutter?
Eat margarine when I could have had butter?
Having a fling, then having a flutter?
How many pearls did I throw before swine?

And did they appreciate what was before them?
Did they pick up the pearls or did they ignore them
And if I had more, would I once again throw them away?

How many years did I doubt my own power?
Do in a minute what should take an hour?
Pick every thorn and ignore every flower?
How many pearls did I throw before swine?

How many moments of fear and of doubt?
Keeping it in, not letting it out.
Taking the low road, the easy way out?
How many pearls did I throw before swine?

And did they appreciate what was before them?
Did they pick up the pearls or did they ignore them
And if I had more, would I once again throw them away?

So do I retire, a broken man
And tend to my vegetables now?
Or do I stand tall on my 2 strong legs,
Cast off the yoke and the plough?

And next time I find a pearl in my hand
I will keep it and hold it,
Polish and preserve it,
Only give it away to those who deserve it.
No more of my pearls will be cast before swine.