Take good care of what you've got
My father said to me
As he puffed his pipe and Baby B
He dandled on his knee
Don't fool with fools who'll turn away
Keep all good company
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Take care of those you call your own
And keep good company

Soon I grew and happy too
My very good friends and me
We'd play all day with Sally J
The girl from number four
Very soon, I begged her, won't you keep me company?
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh

Come marry me, forevermore, we'll be good company

Now marriage is an institution, sure
My wife and I, our needs, and nothing more
All my friends by a year
By and by, disappeared
But we're safe enough behind our door

I flourished in my humble trade
My reputation grew
The work devoured my waking hours
But when my time was through
Reward of all my efforts
My own limited company

I hardly noticed Sally as we parted company
All through the years, in the end, it appears
There was never really anyone but me

Now I'm old, I puff my pipe
But no one's there to see
I ponder on the lesson of my life's insanity
Take care of those you call your own
And keep good company


Lyrics submitted by f_mercury

Good Company Lyrics as written by Brian Harold May

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Good Company song meanings
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    General Comment

    This is one of Queen's greatest songs ever in my opinion. People should check out "A Night at the Opera" more ofter.

    daybeforethefirston October 17, 2004   Link

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