When I was a young man
Just gotten out
I didn't know
What this world was all about
I was lied to, I was cheated

I played all kinds of fools
It didn't take me long
To learn the rules

Fool me once, shame on you
Fool me twice, shame on me
Fool me once, shame on you
Fool me twice, shame on me

Lady swore she loved me
Loved through and through
And then my pal said
She said she loved him, too
And the milkman and the postman
And in a dream
I saw her with the local
Football team

Fool me once, shame on you
Fool me twice, shame on me
Fool me once
Do me as bad as you can do
Shame on you
Shame on you
Fool me twice
I'll be as mad as I can be
Shame on me
Shame on me

Banker took my money
Bought him a stake
The banker swore that one day
We'd both feel great
Then the 80's turned to the 90's
And my money can't be found
Banker's on a long trip
Out of town

Fool me once
Do me as bad as you can do
Shame on you
Shame on you
Fool me twice
I'll be as mad as I can be
Shame on me
Shame on me