I started out this life 40 years ago
A boy free made a big man's choice
Headed out to a place where few man stray
Grabbed the wheel strapped in
Started doin it the hard way
Grew up a little different than the rest of the kids
Every day I placed a new bid
Higher and higher it had to be paid
Beating on down, gonna do it the hard way
I've worked my hands for everything I've got
Cut a deal with a man that I aint forget
I'll be paying that debt till they take me away
I'll just keep doin it the hard way
Solos
Some people choose an easy route
It's a short ride up but a long way down
I sometimes wonder would I change it today
Would I do it the same when it came... The hard way
I've worked my hands for everything I've got
Cut a deal with a man that I aint forgot
I'll be paying that debt till they take me away
I'll just keep doin it... the hard way
Solo
Was it worth the price
Its hard to say
It's cost me things that money can't pay
I've lost a few lives along the way
But I'd do it all over... The hard way
I've worked my hands for everything I've got
Cut a deal with a man that I aint forgot
I'll be paying that debt till they take me away
I'll just keep doin it. the hard way