Only fools would race down Grist Mill 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 woulda learned
Without having to watch my Mustang burn
Before my best buddy had to wind up hurt
And his whole life 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 woulda learned
Before standing in the back row of that church
Watching her daddy giving 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 beating
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
And to stop just once to tell their Dad
Just how much they love him
That's a lesson I wish I woulda learned
Before that phone call came and it was her
No, momma 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