Get Busy Living
Kareem Salama Lyrics
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It wasn't long ago my uncle passed and my little niece came to life
I get to thinking about my time to go and it won't be long from now
I shiver inside at the chance that I might leave a life untouched by a vow
And I believe tonight is the night that I decide
That I get busy living and I get ready to die
So that when the fateful day does come
The poor and the weak and the orphan and meek
Will miss having me around
When I pass I don't wanna leave a life of regret
So I give rise to change today by trying not to forget
That pleasures do pass and sunrises end
And stars do fade away
But it's love and it's virtue and honor and truth
That remain for all days
And I believe tonight is the night that I decide
That I get busy living and I get ready to die
So that when the fateful day does come
When I'm six feet in the ground
The poor and the weak and the orphan and meek
Will miss having me around
I want that final breath to be the sweetest of all
And it will be with certainty if I answer the call
To help all those in need and decipher the meaning of life
'Cause the seekers of truth, they fear not death
Anymore than they fear life
And I believe tonight is the night that I decide
That I get busy living and I get ready to die
So that when the fateful day does come
When I'm six feet in the ground
The poor and the weak and the orphan and meek
Will miss having me around
The song "Get Busy Living" by Kareem Salama is a reflective piece that shines a light on the fleeting nature of life and encourages the listener to make the most of the time they have on this earth. The opening lines set the tone for the song, stating that every day, someone is born and someone dies. This can serve as an important reminder that life is short and that there's no time to waste. The artist then reminisces about a recent family tragedy - his uncle's passing - as well as a recent joyous occasion - the birth of his niece. This contrast highlights the cyclical nature of life and the need to make each moment count.
The song's chorus serves as a call to action - to "get busy living" and "get ready to die." It's a reminder that the way we choose to live our lives will ultimately determine our legacy. The lyrics suggest that we should strive to be a positive influence in the lives of others, particularly those in need. The singer states that he wants to leave this world without any regrets, and that he will do so through acts of love, virtue, honor, and truth. The final lines of the song express the hope that when the singer eventually passes, those he has helped during his lifetime will miss him.
Overall, "Get Busy Living" is a song about seizing the day and making a difference in the world. It's a powerful reminder that life is precious and that we should strive to make every moment count.
Line by Line Meaning
Every single day, someone is born and someone dies
Each day people are born while others die
It wasn't long ago my uncle passed and my little niece came to life
Recently my uncle died but we also welcomed a new family member, my little niece
I get to thinking about my time to go and it won't be long from now
I often think about when I will die and it seems like it will be soon
I shiver inside at the chance that I might leave a life untouched by a vow
The thought of leaving behind a life without fulfilling a promise scares me
And I believe tonight is the night that I decide
I have made up my mind tonight
That I get busy living and I get ready to die
I will focus on living a meaningful life while preparing for death
So that when the fateful day does come
When I die
When I'm six feet in the ground
When I am buried
The poor and the weak and the orphan and meek
Those who are less fortunate
Will miss having me around
Will feel my absence
When I pass I don't wanna leave a life of regret
I don't want to have any regrets when I die
So I give rise to change today by trying not to forget
I will bring about change by making a conscious effort to remember important things
That pleasures do pass and sunrises end
Pleasures and good moments are temporary
And stars do fade away
Even bright and shining things fade away eventually
But it's love and it's virtue and honor and truth
Love, virtue, honor, and truth are eternal
That remain for all days
These things will never fade away
I want that final breath to be the sweetest of all
I want my last breath to be the best one
And it will be with certainty if I answer the call
This is possible if I answer the call to do what is right
To help all those in need and decipher the meaning of life
I will help those who need it and try to understand the meaning of life
'Cause the seekers of truth, they fear not death
Those who seek the truth are not afraid of death
Anymore than they fear life
They do not fear death any more than they fear life
Contributed by Victoria F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.