My Way
Nina Simone Lyrics

And now, the end is near and
I have reached the end of my journey and it's time to say my final goodbyes.

And so I got to face the final curtain
I must now face the final moments of my life.

My friends, I'll say it clear
I want to be honest with my friends.

And state my case of which I'm certain
I want to explain my convictions because they are important to me.

I've lived a life that's full
I have lived a rich and full life.

I've traveled each and every highway
I have explored all the possibilities that life has offered me.

And more, much more than this
I have accomplished many great things.

I did it my way
I did things according to my own rules and beliefs.

Yes, regrets, I've had a few
I have made some mistakes in my life.

But then again, too few to mention
But they are not significant enough for me to dwell on them.

I did what I had to do
I did what I felt was necessary.

And saw it through without exemption
I completed my tasks without making any excuses.

I planned each charted course
I prepared and planned for each step of my journey.

Each careful footstep along the byway, yeah
I was cautious and considerate in each decision I made.

And more, much more than this
I achieved more than I ever thought was possible.

I did my way
I followed my own path.

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
There were moments when I made mistakes.

When I bit off more than I could chew
I took on responsibilities that were too much for me.

But through it all, when there was doubt
Even in times of uncertainty or insecurity, I kept going.

I ate it all and spat it out
I faced the difficulties and overcame them.

I faced it all and I stood tall
I confronted my problems head-on and did not back down.

And did it my way
I dealt with everything on my own terms and principles.

I've laughed and cried
I have experienced a range of emotions in my life.

Had my fill, my share of losing
I have experienced my fair share of defeats and setbacks.

And now, as tears subside
But now, looking back on it all, I can smile and find it all amusing.

Found it all so amusing
I can now laugh at the difficulties and mistakes of the past.

To think I did all that
When I reflect on my life, I realize how much I have accomplished.

And may I say, not in a sly way
I don't say this with false modesty or irony.

Oh no-no-no, no, not me
I know that I am different, that my journey and achievements are unique to me.

I did it my way
But I am proud of what I have done because I did it my way.

What is a man, what he got?
What truly defines a person, what truly makes them great?

If not himself, then he has naught
If a person can't be true to themselves, then they have nothing of real value.

To say the things he truly feels
A person should always express their true feelings and opinions.

Not the words of one who kneels
They should not simply repeat the words of others if they don't truly believe them.

The record shows, I took the blows
The evidence of my life shows that I have faced the challenges head-on.

And did it my way
And did things according to my own rules and beliefs.