The Hard Way

Only fools would race down Gristmill Road

Let alone in angry weather

That’s what I tell everyone I know

Now that I know better

That’s a lesson I wish I would have learned

Without having to watch my Mustang burn

Before my best buddy had to wind up hurt

And his whole life was changed

That’s a lesson I wish I didn’t learn

The hard way

Only a fool would keep a diamond ring

In a box on the top of his closet

He came so close, he almost asked

It was right there in his pocket

That’s a lesson I wish I would have learned

Before standing in the back row of that church

Watching her daddy givin’ her

To the man who took my place

That’s a lesson I wish I didn’t learn

The hard way

Regret's been known to give a man a beatin’

But I ain’t in the mood for fighting back this evening

Only fools don’t take the time of day

They stay too busy running

To stop just once and tell their dad

Just how much they love him

That’s a lesson I wish I would have learned

Before the phone call came and it was her

No, Mama never had to say a word

I knew it was too late

That’s a lesson I wish I didn’t learn

The hard way, the hard way

The hard way, the hard way