But you can't really know a man till you've gone where he's been
 I could give you all the details, but you'd never understand
 What it means to let that woman slip right through your hands

 I guess you had to be there when she smiled
 Had to feel the passion running wild
 To really know the woman and the child
 I guess you had to be there

 Until she's stripped the layers off and seen into your soul
 Till you've watched her make a diamond from a worthless piece of coal
 Till you've held an angel and let her fly away
 You won't ever understand no matter what I say

 I guess you had to be there when she smiled
 Had to feel the passion running wild
 To really know the woman and the child
 I guess you had to be there

 I guess you had to be there when she smiled
 Had to feel the passion running wild
 Till you've walked in my shoes for a mile
 I guess you had to be there
 I guess you had to be there
 I guess you had to be there