(I remember)
(I remember)
(I remember)
(I remember)

Now, I remember, my first love affair (I remember)
Of course the whole thing went wrong (I remember)
And my mama had some great advice (I remember)
So I thought I'd put it in the words of this song
'Cause I can still hear her sayin' (I remember)

She said, "Boy (boy, boy)
Oh, I see you sittin' out there all alone
Yeah, just cryin' your eyes out
Into the cold, grey dawn
Now, there's gonna be, there's gonna be
A whole lot of trouble in your life (whole lot of trouble)
So listen to me, get up off of your knees
'Cause only the strong survive"
That's what she said"

"Only the strong survive
Only the strong survive
Yeah, you've got to be strong (so)
You've got to hold on
Only the strong survive"

"Ah, don't go around with your head hanging down
I wouldn't let the girl know
She made you feel like a clown
Now, there's a whole lot a girls (whole lot a girls)
Just lookin' for a good man like you
But you ain't ever gonna meet 'em if you give up now
And say, your whole life is through"

"'Cause only the strong survive
Only the strong survive
Well, you've got to be a man (yeah)
You've got to take a stand (oh, yeah)
'Cause only the strong survive"

I'm telling you right now
Only the strong survive (strong survive)
Only the strong survive
Only the strong survive

Yeah, you've got to hold on (hold on)
You've got to be strong (strong)
'Cause only the strong survive (strong survive)
That tomorrow's gonna be a better day (only the strong survive)
You're gonna make it (yeah)
But you gotta take that stand (stand)
'Cause only the strong survive
Only the strong survive
Yeah, you've got to be strong
You've got to hold on
'Cause only the strong survive

Copyright: BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Writer(s): Jerry Butler, Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff