Take A Back Road

Old man knocked on my front door
With my teenage boy and a couple more
From up the road
He had him by the collar
Said he caught him shootin' beer bottles
Down in the holler and smokin'
And I said is that right

He said, they won't speak when spoken to
So which one here belongs to you
And I know one does
'Cause they all started runnin'
To your back forty
When they saw me comin' on my gator
I looked in them in the eyes

And I said, he's mine that one
Got a wild-haired side and then some
it's no surprise what he's done
He's ever last bit of my old man's son
And If you knew me then
There'd be no question in your mind
You know he's mine
Yeah he is

Friday night football games
And livin' for the speakers
To call the name
On the back of number thirty-seven
Just one-forty-five
And five foot eleven
Maybe

The Limelight barely shined on him
But everyone still remembers when
He whooped up on that boy way bigger
For taking that cheap shot on our little kicker
And they threw him out
Oh man, you should of, you should of heard me shout

I yelled he's mine that one
Got a wild-haired side and then some
It's no surprise what he's done
He's every last bit of my old man's son
And I'll take the blame
And claim him every time
Yeah man, he's mine and he'll always be
The best thing that ever happened to me
You can't turn it off like electricity
I love him unconditionally
I'll take the blame and claim him every time
Yeah, y'all, he's mine
I thank God, he's mine
Bless his heart

I know the guy that owns the key to the lock on the chain of that gate
Across that gravel road that winds back into the trees.
You'd never know just over that hill there's a little log house by a spring
Fed creek where the blue bells grow so thick you wouldn't believe.
And he said it would be ok, if we wanted to use it for a weekend getaway.

Oh I wanna lay down with you
In a cabin in the woods.
On an old feather bed.
With the fire goin’ good.
Just the two of us alone
Feelin’ like we should.
I wanna lay down with you
In a cabin in the woods.

We can sit on the porch and soak up the moon light or if it gets cold we
Can go inside and light a candle or two and open up some wine.
And if we get lucky it'll start to rain on that old tin roof don't you love
That sound that would get you all relaxed and frees your mind.
Come on baby lets go right now.
I can't wait to get you where there's no one else around.

Oh I wanna lay down with you
In a cabin in the woods
On an old feather bed
With the fire goin’ good
Just the two of us alone
Feelin’ like we should
I wanna lay down with you
In a cabin in the woods

I wanna hold you and listen to the crickets sing.
And a coyote howlin’ at the midnight train
While were doin’ our thing

Yeah I wanna lay down with you
In a cabin in the woods
On an old feather bed
With the fire goin good.
Just the two of us alone
Feelin like we should.
I wanna lay down with you
In a cabin in the woods.

I wanna lay down with you
In a cabin in the woods.

Baby I know the guy that owns the key to the lock on the chain of that gate
Across that gravel road that winds back into the trees.

Times are tough and times are strange
But time's one thing that you can't change
Love is a noun and love is a verb
But sometimes love is a dirty word

It don't matter what tomorrow brings
Tonight you just need to think about one thing
And that's showing up and letting go
And maybe gettin' just a little out of control

And sing ohh
Don't you just wanna rock 'n' roll
Gather up a couple of friends
Let a shot hit the spot
And the party begin
And sing ohhh yeah
Don't you just wanna rock 'n' roll
Lose yourself out in the crowd
In the night, in the lights
Cuttin' loose and loud
Drown all the stressed up
Theft up messed up out
That's all I'm talking about

The sun will shine
And the clouds will rain
Might have to learn to smile through the pain
You lose a step but you gain a friend
Might even catch a break every now and then
So don't sweat it just let it slide
And when you get on the road baby let it ride
You gotta get up to get down
You gotta unwind a little to come on 'round

And sing ohh yeah
Don't you just wanna rock 'n' roll
Gather up a couple of friends
Let a shot hit the spot
Let the party begin
Ohhh yeah
Don't you just wanna rock 'n' roll
Lose yourself out in the crowd
In the night, in the lights
Cuttin' loose and loud
Drown all the messed up
Theft up stressed up out
That's all I'm talking about

And when you get tired of trying to be
Who they want you to be
Be what you wanna be
Well come on, come on

Ohhh oh yeah
Don't you just wanna rock 'n' roll
Gather up a couple of friends
Let a shot hit the spot
And let the party begin
Ohhh oh
Don't you just wanna rock 'n' roll
Lose yourself out in the crowd
In the night, in the lights
Cuttin' loose and loud
Drown all the stressed up
Messed up theft up out
That's all I'm talking about

Don't you just wanna rock 'n' roll
Don't you just wanna rock 'n' roll
Gather up a couple of friends
Let the party begin
Ohhh
Lose yourself out in the crowd
Don't you just wanna rock 'n' roll

I was 12 years old with some bolts and a wrench, a piece of plywood that
Was 3/4 inch and daddy said, “Son once your chores are done I'll give you one
Of them gris old barn poles.” I went out in the pasture with no cow patties,
Got some post hole diggers, and I got after it. Had some sun on my back and
A blister on my hand, but man I had myself a goal!

I dribbled that ball till the grass was gone and the bumpy ground was brown and
Flat. And me and Daddy played horse and the cows all '"mooed'" and we laughed. I
Was lucky and I didn't even know it growing up like that.

I learned the birds and the bee's from the cats and the dogs, and a frog
Starts out as a pollywog. The best blackberry cobbler is made from scratch,
And worth every one you get from the briar patch. I found out firewood will
Warm you twice, once when you cut it and once when you light it. And I can't
Help but smile when I look back, cause I was lucky and I didn't even know
It growin' up like that.

There was an old wooden barrel ‘hind my grandpa's house where we threw our
‘Tater peels and coffee grounds, say you want to catch catfish long as your
Arm, son you gotta have a night crawler farm. And we'd sit on the dock and
Share a bottle of pop and catch a few and then head on back. Me and Daddy
Clean fish while the cats '"meowed'" and we laughed, I was lucky and I didn't
Even know it growing up like that

I learned the birds and the bee's from the cats and the dogs, and a frog
Starts out as a pollywog. The best blackberry cobbler is made from scratch,
And worth every one you get from the briar patch. If you ever got sugar in
A hot hay loft and you still can't believe y'all didn't get caught. You
Close your eyes and smile when you look back, you were lucky and you didn't even
Know it growing up like that.

Ya learned the birds and the bee's from the cats and the dogs, and skinny
Dippin’ beats anything ya ever saw. The best blackberry cobbler is made from
Scratch, and worth every one you get from the briar patch. Sometimes me and
Her still slip off to that cozy little corner in the old hay loft, taste
That honeysuckle off her lips off the beaten path. Cause I'm lucky and baby
I know it, I'm doin’ my best there to show it. Naw you never really do outgrow it
Growin up like that.

You like good cold beer and pickin' guitar and you really don't care about
Being a star, you just do it cause you love it and love it cause you do it.

Shuck cobs on the porch, till some buddies show up with some good ol’ boards.

Can I get an Amen growin up like that!

Family reunion, 4th of July
It's been three years since I've seen them
Now I remember why
Aunt Charlotte's at the door
Big smile on her face
The first thing she says to me
Looks like you've gained some weight
You only get that kind of honesty
From family

Well Uncle Joe's getting plastered
Aunt Martha's getting mad
Same old cousin Doug
Same old jokes, same old bad
Mama has to keep reminding me
Son, they're family

A few new babies, the same old crazies
I've known 'em my whole life
And they still amaze me
I didn't choose 'em
But I'd hate to loose 'em
Cause you gotta love 'em
They're family

Cousin Linda showed up
With her new sweetheart
I had to laugh when daddy whispered
Fifth time might be the charm
And there's her brother Lester
In the city, just flew in
All the way from way out yonder
We're still not sure about him
But different as we are it's good to be
a family

A few new babies, the same old crazies
I've known 'em my whole life
And they still amaze me
I didn't choose 'em
Wouldn't wanna lose 'em
But you gotta love 'em
Man, they're family

When mama said the blessing
She was fightin back the tears
Cause the last time we were all together
Grandpa was here
And She knew how proud he'd be
And how much he'd love to see

A few new babies, the same old crazies
I've known 'em my whole life
And they still amaze me
Don't get to choose 'em
But you hate to lose 'em
You gotta love 'em
Cause they're your family

Family reunion, 4th of July
It's been three years since I've seen them
Now I remember why

First time I left home
Here's the words that my dad said to me
He said sit down son
Don't take curves
Doin' 90 miles an hour
Or you will end up upside down
If you really like her
Don't forget the flowers
The first time and every time you take her out
I've been around the block
And I know what's 'round the corner

Choose your words wisely
Cause you can't take 'em back
Once they've broken someone's heart
Just because your friend does
Doesn't mean you have to
It's what sets the two of you apart
I've been around the block
And I know what's 'round the corner

Don't pretend to know it all
When you don't know a thing
And know your way around it
Before you throw your hat into the rain
And don't commit to somethin'
If you can't follow through
And your past will always catch up with you
I've been around the block
And I know what's 'round the corner

Always call your mama
When you say you gonna
While she's still here for you to call
And don't forget the man upstairs
In your darkest hour
He's a pick me up every time you fall
I've been around the block
And I know what's 'round the corner

I've been around the block
And I know what's 'round the corner
I'm in your corner

I've been around the block
Enough to know what's 'round the corner
What's around the corner

Did she tried to play a little hard to get
Well just a little hint, oh don't give up just yet
What made you think that love was gonna be so easy
Well she's a girl ain't she

Does she get to you, like no one else
Could she make your life heaven or a livin hell
Did you think beautiful would drive you so crazy
Oh she's a girl ain't she

Is she on your mind
Every other thought
Is there nothing you wouldn't do for her just because
Does she hold your heart
In her hands
Did she walk into your life
And change your plans

Did she want a ring?
Did you tell her no?
Or is it on her finger now, yea I thought so
Does she always get whatever she thinks she needs?
Well she's a girl ain't she

Is she on your mind
Every other thought
Is there nothing you wouldn't do for her just because
Does she hold your heart
In her hands
Did she walk into you life
And change your plans

Does she have her momma's big bright eyes
Did you ever think something so small could change your life
She can melt your heart with a just a smile can't she
She's always gonna be her daddy's little baby
She's a girl ain't she

She's your girl, She's your girl

I miss my baby so much
After being gone
Out on that lake at fishing
All weekend long
So I bought her flowers
And a bottle of the good stuff
But when I walked in I knew
Well I didn't bring enough

Cause she ain't happy as I am to be home
If looks could kill I'd be cold as stone
I'm already ready to kiss and make up
Looks like tonight I'm out of luck oh no
Cause she'd rather fight than you know what

Had reservations at that
Japanese steak house
Don't need to go where they're
Throwing knifes around
Just take my ear for love
All the wrong I've done
Just get it over while she
Tears me a new one

She ain't as happy as I am to be home
If looks could kill I'd be cold as stone
I'm already ready to kiss and make up
Looks like tonight I'm out of luck oh no
Cause she'd rather fight than you know
What I'd like to do

If I could just somehow
Get her in the mood
Oh but I can see right now

She ain't as happy as I am to be home
If looks could kill I'd be cold as stone
I'm already ready to kiss and make up
Looks like tonight I'm out of luck oh no
Cause she'd rather fight than you know what
I might be sleeping in my truck
Cause she'd rather fight than you know what

You know what
I love you
Don’t you like what I got you
I'm out here if you need me
Oh my back's been sunburned
I think I'm sunburned baby

Don't let the sun set on an argument
It's easy to say when you're not in one
That's a fact
Cause when we're not getting along
She's got a strong stubborn side
But I can't call that kettle black

Cause sometimes our silly fights
May go well into the night
And we hit the sack
Back to back
Too ticked off to speak
We'd rather hold our grudges
Than be the one that budges
We'd go to bed
Butting heads and tugging sheets
But we never fall asleep
Without touching feet

Yeah we'll take cover
On that queen-size battle field
Her angry eyes are almost closed
We'll swallow just enough
Of that foolish pride
To whisper the truth soul to soul
Toe to toe

Sometimes our silly fights
Go well into the night
And we'll hit the sack
Back to back
Too ticked off to speak
We'd rather hold our grudges
Than be the one that budges
We'd go to bed
Butting heads and tugging sheets
But we never fall asleep
Without touching feet

It's not giving in
It's saying nobody's leaving
But you know that I still love you
Even when we're disagreeing

Cause sometimes our silly fights
Go well into the night
And we hit the sack
Back to back
Too ticked off to speak
Cause we'd rather hold our grudges
Than be the one that budges
We'll go to bed
Butting heads and tugging sheets
But we never fall asleep
Without touching feet

Well, I was counting my tips at the Playing Sixes
In this ghost show watering hole
When this old beach bum yelled out
"Come on, play, give me three steps"
I was beat but I played him one more
Then I was headed out towards the door

And he handshake and handed me a hundred dollar bill
And said, "By the way, I own this bar"
Then he winked at me and said, '"Kid, I got a few more tips
But they sure ain't the kind that would fit in that jar'"

You gotta treat people right on the ride up
They'll have your back on the way back down
He said, "Take it from this old beach bum, son
Keeping it real is what it's really about"

You can count your blessings, count yourself lucky
But every day you get above ground
Oh, it ain't about keeping count of what you got
It's making what you got count

He grabbed me by the arm and said
He said, "Real quick, boy, let me tell you this story
About this real rich dude I used to know real well
He owned all kinds of stuff but when he added it all up
He still felt like he was empty as hel"

He said, "Son, would you believe that
That dude was me back before I inventoried my life
Ah, just to live down here, selling shots and some beer
And, and dispensing some free advice"

Now treat people right on the ride up
They'll have your back on the way back down
He said, "Take it from this old beach bum, son
Keeping it real, that's what it's really about"

Count your blessings, count yourself lucky
Every day you get above ground
'Cause it ain't about keeping count of what you got
It's making what you got count

Oh, now I can't recollect how much I collected in my jar
in that bar but what he said is in my head for life
And tonight I started getting to have a beer with my old friends
And when he saw those tour buses outside, he said

Now are your treating people right on the ride up?
They'll have your back on the way back down
He said, "Take it from this old beach bum, son
Yeah, keep it real, that's what it's really about"

And the best things in life, you can't put a price on
They don't come with no dollar amount, no
'Cause it ain't about keeping count of what you got
It's making what you got count
No, it ain't about keeping count of what you got
No, it all comes down to making what you got count

Make it count, that's what it comes down to, son
Tell your friends and be a friend
Count your blessings, don't count your problems

I packed up my pickup at seventeen
With Uncle Bob's old Martin guitar and a dream
Went from singing in church
To singing for tips in a honky tonk

Said I became a Jukebox flash
Play anything from Zeppelin to Cash
As the hard headed, hard living
Cover singing, cover of my own self

Forgot who I was and where I was from
Then early one morning, my daddy showed up

Lifelines, where would we be without lifelines?
When we're lost at sea, the devil's got you thinking
That the boat ain't sinking but your boots are getting wet
That's the thing about lifelines

They tell you the truth
When you won't reach out, they grab a hold of you
You're lucky to find a few in your lifetime
Thank God for lifelines

These days I call home every Sunday afternoon
Mama always says, '"Well, I was just thinking about you.
How's my favorite son?'" “Say you mean your only one?
Oh, I'm good, almost as good as your gravy”

She said, '"Your sister stops by with the kids every day
The divorce has been tough, they're gonna be okay
Your daddy keeps them busy watching bobbers on the water
Let's them cast their cares away'"

Then she said, '"Son, I know you gotta make money
But don't forget to make time to slow down
Stop by, have a real piece of pie'" Yeah

Lifelines, where would we be without lifelines?
When we're lost at sea, the devil's got you thinking
That the boat ain't sinking but your boots are getting wet
That's the thing about lifelines

They tell you the truth
And when you won't reach out, they grab a hold of you
You're lucky to find a few in a lifetime
So thank God for lifelines

Where would we be without lifelines?
When we're lost at sea, the devil's got you thinking
That the boat ain't sinking but your boots are sure getting wet
That's the thing about lifelines

They tell you the truth
When you won't reach out, they grab a hold of you
You're lucky to find a few in your lifetime
So thank God for lifelines

Whoa ooh whoa
Thank God for lifelines

Sit in that six lane backed up traffic
Horns are honking, I've about had it
I'm looking for an exit sign
Gotta get out of here, get it all off my mind
And like a memory from your grandpa's attic
A song comes slippin’ through the radio static
Changing my mood, a little George Strait 1982

And it makes me wanna take a back road
Makes me wanna take the long way home
Throw a little gravel in my travel
Unwind, unravel all night long
Makes me wanna grab my honey
Tear down some two-lane country, who knows
Get lost and get right with my soul
Makes wanna take, makes me wanna
Take a back road

I've been cooped up, tied down, about forgotten
What a field looks like, full of corn and cotton
If I'm gonna hit a traffic jam,
Well it better be a tractor man
So sick and tired of this interstate system
I need a curve, a wind, a twistin’
Dusty path to nowhere
With the wind blowing through my baby's hair

And it makes me wanna take a back road
Makes me wanna take the long way home
Throw a little gravel in my travel
Unwind, unravel all night long
Makes me wanna grab my honey
Tear down some two-lane country, who knows
Get lost and get right with my soul
Makes wanna take, makes me wanna
Take a back road
Some old back road

Maybe it's the feeling or maybe it's the freedom
Maybe it's that shady spot
Where we park the truck when things get hot
Girl we park the truck when the things get hot

And it makes me wanna take a back road
Makes me wanna take the long way home
Throw a little gravel in my travel
Unwind, unravel all night long
Makes me wanna grab ya honey
Tear down some two-lane country, who knows
Get lost and get right with my soul
Makes wanna take, makes me wanna
Take a back road

Some old back road, get right with my soul
Now all I gotta do is take some old back road
To the shady spot where things get hot, girl
Way down, way down, way down some old back road