(Toby McKeehan)

some people gotta learn the hardway

I guess I'm the kinda guy that has to find out for myself

I had to learn the hardway, father

I'm on my knees and I'm crying for help

now I've been high and I've been low

I've been some places that you will not go

I never thought there would come the day

when I wished I never would've lived this way

but I've been searching for a long time

I thought the devil was a friend of mine

I turned my back on everything that was true

and wasted years that belonged to you

some people gotta learn the hardway

I guess I'm the kinda guy that has to find out for myself

I had to learn the hardway, father

I'm on my knees and I'm crying for help

it took so long for me to see

that I'm a victim of nature and me

left to myself, I realize

I am the maker of my own demise

but you accept me every time and again

and never mention just how selfish I've been

why must it always take me so long to see

that I have fallen, but you will forgive me

some people gotta learn the hardway

I guess I'm the kinda guy that has to find out for myself

I had to learn the hardway, father

I'm on my knees and I'm crying for help

the warning signs are like flares in the night

still I proceed my greed is in spite

of the fire I know that's bound to burn

why is it that I always gotta learn the hardway

the hardway

I had to learn the hardway

the hardway

the hardway

I had to learn the hardway