Early morning by the riverside
Saw an old man waiting for a bite
We started talking and he took me back in time


He said I was young, and thought I'd always be
Then I woke up, now I'm 83

There's so much I missed, oh how I wish
I could get back all that time I wasted


I see the tears of a young bride
The morning that we had our first fight
I should've held her tight

And on the day that my mama died
I hung up the phone and never said goodbye


Don't let it slip on
Don't let it slip on
Don't let it slip on by


Well, he looked up, tears in his eyes
Said I'm not sure if you were looking for advice

There's just something about you that reminds me of me

It ain't easy always looking back

But it seems these days that it's all I have
What hurts me the most is knowing what could have been
And if I listen real close sometimes I can


Hear the sound of my little boy
Saying, daddy can you please come play with me

But I was too busy
Then one day, my baby grew up and went to war
I never thought he'd be gone in the blink of an eye


So don't let it slip on
Don't let it slip on

Don't let it slip on by

I shook the old man's hand and I thanked him

And I drove home as fast as I could go
Just to let her know
That I need her

That I love her
That I'm never gonna let another moment like this slip on by
Don't let it slip on by


We're only here for a little while
And God gives us only so much precious time


So don't let it slip on
Don't let it slip on

Don't let it slip on by
Don't let it slip on by