I once knew a man who had a wife and kid And he stood for everything he believed He always swore that he would never grow old Never compromise or retreat But every time I go to the bar I see him with all of his friends They're dancing down at the pool hall now And I know how this will end I once knew a girl who had a necklace of pearls And she lived on the rich side of town She always bought whatever she want Until the stores were all sold out But the last time that I saw her She was living out on the street With a sign in her hand Saying, "I will work for something to eat" Some say life is just a cold, cold vapor And nothing on earth will last forever But I know there's got to be something in the middle There's got to be a reason for living I once heard a man who had a Bible in hand And he spoke on the end of the world He said it was all gonna pass away And burn in the flames of hell The choir sings of tribulation And a way to escape But what's the point in life at all If that's our hope today? Just to escape? Some say life is just a cold, cold vapor And nothing on earth will last forever But I know there's got to be something in the middle There's got to be a reason for living Like reformation, and restoration Celebration, glorification Repentance, and forgiveness Faith and grace To walk in love and not in hate