There ain't nothin so fragile as a young man He's full of fire as his youth demands Well right or wrong he burns so bright Until at last he is set alight Ain't nothin so fragile as a young man Ain't nothin so fragile as a young man There ain't nothing so strange as a righteous man All sour with vigour and stained by bile He's been twisted by veracity and it's Insulting in its bigotry There ain't nothing so strange as a righteous man Ain't nothin so fragile as a young man A man who never was much one, for spirits or company That kind of man don't talk too much or ask for sympathy He's like to climb upon his ride and bid a slow retreat That kind of man he fascinates cos he's not a bit like me Well there ain't nothin so final as a dead man Turned to dust and they laid him down All his songs are sung and his prayers said but It weren't enough to keep him from his grave There ain't nothin so final as a dead man Ain't nothin so fragile as a young man