[Lyric] Its A Lifetime Thing (Thelma Houston & Jerry Butler)

[Vocals: Jerry Butler, Thelma Houston, both, (backing vocals)]

[Verse 1]
Every morning I walk to the water
I call out your name
And though you don't hear me
I hope you're seein' my way
Oh, the birds – they dance for me
And the sun rises in my eyes

[Pre-Chorus 1]
Other ships have tried to reach my shore
But I let them sail on by
Other ships have tried to anchor me
But I let them pass on by

[Chorus]
'Cause it's a lifetime thing
Oh, like the water needs the shore
I need the love you once gave me, baby
(I need it, I need it, I need it
I need it, I need it) well, well...
In that I need you more
[Verse 2]
On this island there's a treasure
But it's buried deep inside
In a garden waitin' for you
Ah, the one I call Paradise
Now it's such a lonely island
Without your company

[Pre-Chorus 2]
I keep a love light burnin' bright
Till you come and rescue me, mhm..
I keep a love light burnin' bright
Till you come and rescue me

[Chorus]
'Cause it's a lifetime thing
Oh, like the water needs the shore
I need the love you once gave me, baby
(I need it, I need it, I need it
I need it, I need it) well, well, well, well, well...
In that I need you more

[Verse 2, variation]
Oh my darlin', you know
That it's such a lonely island
Without your company
[Pre-Chorus 2]
But I keep a love light burnin' bright
Till you come and rescue me
I keep a love light burnin' bright
Till you come and rescue me

[Chorus]
'Cause it's a lifetime thing
Lifetime thing, baby, oh yes it is
Like the water needs the shore
I need the love you once gave me, baby
(I need it, I need it, I need it
I need it, I need it) well, well, well, well, well...
In that I need you more

[Outro]
Don't you hear me sing?
In that I need you, in that I need you
I'll make it alright, just about midnight
You know I need you, right around midnight
Oh darlin', you know I need you
Just about daylight
I'll be waitin' for you, baby
Right around midnight...