I was down so long 

Everything was goin' wrong 

And the people all around me 

Got the news



Lord and everything I tried 

Fell to pieces and slowly died 

My soul was going broke 

From paying dues



I was very nearly beat 

When I crawled back to my feet 

Believing that a change 

Was overdue



Now I'm pickin' up the pieces 

And takin' out new leases 

Gettin' ready for the things 

I wanna do



And you know I'm ready 

How tough is it gonna be 

Are you ready 

Don't keep asking me 

If I'm ready, yea, yea 

Leave it up to me 

I'm ready as I'm gonna be 

I'm ready finally



Lord I'm ready to make my way 

Take it slowly from day to day 

Take it easy on myself 

As I roll along



Lord knows it's down to me 

To write the melody 

To sing my own words 

To the song



And you know I'm ready ...