Things You Learn the Hard Way

Be careful with that bottle

When you have your first drink

The pull that it'll have on you is

Stronger than you think

Don't speed through a small town

Or push an empty tank

And when that farmer stops to give you gas

Be sure to tell him thanks

Always check the oil in your twenty year old car

Before you leave for college or you won't make it very far

Things you learn the hard way

Some lessons you can't teach

Until you're living through em

The wisdom's out of reach

Things you learn the hard way

Things you learn the hard way

Don't get married in a church

Called Mother of our Sorrows

'Cause if it don't feel right today

It won't feel right tomorrow

A baby will not be enough

To get a man to stay

'Cause you can't change or fix someone

You gotta let em walk away

Don't go to the dry well looking for a drink

Never leave your wedding band too close to the kitchen sink

Things you learn the hard way

Some lessons you can't teach

Until you're living through em

The wisdom's out of reach

Things you learn the hard way

Things you learn the hard way

When someone's trust is broken

It's not an easy thing to fix

And when grandpa comes for dinner

Lord, don't bring up politics

Be sure to call your mama

Every Sunday after mass

You won't be ready when you lose her

And it happens way too fast

Sometimes the deepest healing

Comes through the darkest night

And you can't believe how often now

Your mother's words were right

Things you learn the hard way

Some lessons you can't teach

Until you're living through em

The wisdom's out of reach

Things you learn the hard way

Things you learn the hard way

You ain't never gonna forget

The things you learn the hard way

Things you learn the hard way