[Verse 1]
Only fools would race down Grist Mill Road
Let alone in angry weather
That's what I tell everyone I know
Now that I know better
That's a lesson I wish I would've learned
Without havin' to watch my Mustang burn
Before my best buddy had to wind up hurt
And his whole life changed

[Refrain]
That's a lesson I wish I didn't learn the hard way

[Verse 2]
Only a fool would keep a diamond ring
In a box on the top of his closet
He came so close, he almost asked
It was right there in his pocket
That's a lesson I wish I would've learned
Before standin' in the back row of that church
Watching her daddy giving her
To the man who took my place

[Refrain]
That's a lesson I wish I didn't learn the hard way
[Bridge]
Regret's been known to give a man a beatin'
But I ain’t in the mood for fightin' back this evenin'

[Verse 3]
Only fools don't take the time of day
They stay too busy runnin'
To stop just once and tell their Dad
Just how much they love him
That's a lesson I wish I would've learned
Before that phone call came, and it was her
No, Momma never had to say a word
I knew it was too late

[Refrain]
That's a lesson I wish I didn't learn the hard way

[Outro]
The hard way
The hard way
The hard way