Mama's in the kitchen sayin' "Don't touch the stove"
I never listen, to what I was told
I burned my hand, started to cry
My mama said, "I love you boy, why would I lie?"
Well, I had to learn, the hard way

I fell in love and it felt alright
I felt better runnin' round at night
Gettin' drunk like a country singer
Won't get you a ring on a pretty finger
I had to learn, the hard way

You're gonna have to tell me twice
You're gonna need to hold my hand
Before I ever get it right
I'm gonna be a better man
Singin' in my grave
I had to learn the hard way

I'm out with the boys on a Tuesday night
Talkin' shit with a man twice my size
I was kicked in the ribs and down on the ground
My brother had stitches up and down his mouth
I thought, oh lord when will I stop learnin' the hard way?

Oh, you're gonna have to tell me twice
You're gonna need to hold my hand
Before I ever get it right
I'm gonna be a better man
Singin' in my grave
I had to learn the hard way