Mama used to tell me, "Son, you're gonna have trouble
If you don't start changin' your ways
You got a long road ahead so don't make your bed
Right next to where the devil lays"

I just laughed said "Mama, I know
But it's easier said than done
Come one day there'll be hell to pay
But right now I'm gonna have my fun
Right now I'm gonna have my fun"

You gotta go through hell to get to heaven
You're gonna stray from the path
You gotta go through hell to get to heaven
When you stray you'll pray you'll make it back
When you stray you'll pray you'll make it back

I hear it won't be long (you gotta know you'rе right or wrong)
He'll come to take us homе (it won't be long)

Cash said, "Son, you gotta walk that line
Right there in black and white
One side's trouble, sometimes double
The other leads to the light"

I don't know just how you feel
But I sure do know me
I've been on both sides and I'll testify
Only one is gonna set you free
Only one is gonna set you free
You gotta go through hell to get to heaven
You're gonna stray from the path
You gotta go through hell to get to heaven
When you stray you'll pray you'll make it back
When you stray you'll pray you'll make it back

I hear it won't be long (you gotta know you're right or wrong)
He'll come to take us home (it won't be long)

You gotta go through hell to get to heaven
You're gonna stray from the path
You gotta go through hell to get to heaven
When you stray you'll pray you'll make it back
When you stray you'll pray you'll make it back
When you stray you'll pray you'll make it back