Once in a Lifetime

This song was written by my mother in New York in the early '60s.

Once in a lifetime we make a mistake
One that causes real heartbreak
It's then that we feel, all the sorrow and pain,
And wish that we could turn the clock back again.

Once in a lifetime, we do a great wrong
To someone who loves us sincerely.
We think we are clever, but only headstrong
And too late, we see things quite clearly.

So once in a lifetime, heed the advice
From the one, in whose hearts we are dear.
For that big mistake we pay a terrible price
In emptiness, loneliness and fear.