Mario was a halfbreed man, he used to make out, he was poor
Mario's mum had him under her gun, 'cos her white side did him more
Torn between two loyalties, leaving dad alone at home
Torn between two loyalties, leaving dad alone at home

Chorus:
There's only one thing I say, you've got to live day by day
You got to find your own way to throw the dice
You got to prove that you're tough, to take the smooth with the rough
There's only one way you'll get to paradise

Mario and his mother ran so far, so far away
Daddy got out his shotgun and went to hunt them the very next day
Finally caught up with them, said "I'm gonna shoot you down, my boy"
Mother said, "No, don't do that, pa, you're gonna kill my only joy"
Anger flew and shot in two, their only son, their little boy
Anger flew and shot in two, their only son, their little boy

chorus repeats 4x

There's only one thing I say, you got to find your own way to throw the dice
There's only one thing I say, you got to find your own way to paradise