I was at that smartass time of my life

Where I'd pick a fight, just to pick a fight

If he said, black, I said white

If he took one side, I took the other side

The dinner table we sat around

Was more like a battleground

And I lost more times than I won



I woulda learned later on

that he was always preaching about his past

I just kept screaming Come on, Dad

That was twenty years ago

You don't know me at all

Trying to talk to you is like talking to the wall

Yeah, you gave me my life, but it's my life to live

Maybe I don't wanna live it like you did

Twenty years ago



He was built with blue collar sweat and blood

Squared jaw and a crew cut

A purple heart, a Viet Vet

He'd tell you every chance he'd get

Always running down my rock and roll

My friends, my hair, my clothes

But one night it got out of control

And right there we came to blows

And that was just enough to get me gone

I couldn't wait to prove him wrong



Twenty years ago struck out on my own

Couldn't tell me nothing that I didn't already know

Later I was on my way to what the hell did I care

My old man and his grey hair thought about the road I chose

Twenty years ago



Well, I left as fast as the leaves fell that Autumn

I never looked back and I never once called him

But every time I talked to Mama

I wondered if he was there, or if he even cared

I figured I walked out on him and the course of our love had run

Momma said, no,no, you listen to me, Son

He's a stubborn man and he won't give in

He believes what he believes, well, you're just like him



Well, I could tell by her voice there was something wrong

She broke down and said he ain't got long

So I caught the next plane home

Thought about all the years gone

Had my pride that I let so much time go by

I ran up those stairs and stood by his bed

And I cried



Twenty years ago thought I knew it all

But trying to talk to me was like talking to a wall

I thought I was a man acting like I did

But all I want right now is just to be your kid

Just before my Dad gave up the ghost

He took my hand and said

Son, let it go, that was twenty years ago

Twenty years ago