[Verse 1]
Headed down life's crooked road, lots of things I never knowed
And because of me not knowing, now I pine
Trouble's got in the trail, spent the next five years in jail
Should have read that detour sign

[Chorus]
Detour, there's a muddy road ahead
Detour, paid no mind to what it said
Detour, oh these bitter things I find
Should have read that detour sign

[Verse 2]
When I got right to the place where it said 'about face'
I thought that all my worries were behind
But the farther I go, the more sorrow I know
Should have read that detour sign

[Chorus]

[Verse 3]
When I got stuck in the mud, all my hopes dropped with a thud
And I reckon my heartstrings are made of twine
I got no willpower to get from this hole that I'm in yet
Should have read that detour sign
[Chorus]

Should have read that detour sign