[Verse 1]
Bye, Mom
That's what I said at five years old, the first day of school
Already then, I thought I was way too cool
I thought I had it figured out
And I didn't know a thing
Bye, Mom
Don't worry about me, I'll see you at three at the bus stop
And I know that you'll be right there to pick me up
In the old truck

[Chorus]
And oh, that's just the way it is
When you think you're grown, but you're still a kid
And you don't know you're somebody
That somebody loves more than themselves
And there's a beauty in the innocence
Of not knowin' that the time they spent
Is more than one could ask for
And that's a special kind of love
And it's only there for a lifetime, then it's gone
And it's bye, Mom

[Verse 2]
You can drop me off down the block around the corner square
All my buddies are waitin' for me just over there
I'll see you later on
Bye, Mom
It's a cap and a gown and a brand new town eight hours away
Don't cry, I'll be okay
[Chorus]
And oh, that's just the way it is
When you think you're grown, but you're still a kid
And you don't know you're somebody
That somebody loves more than themselves
And there's a beauty in the innocence
Of not knowin' that the time they spent
Is more than one could ask for
And that's a special kind of love
And it's only there for a lifetime, then it's gone
And it's bye, Mom

[Bridge]
And by Mom, I sang a million mornings
At the Brine Street Baptist Church
And by Mom, I waited hours and hours 'til she got off of work
And by Mom, I stood and cried and laid a rose onto a grave
And "Bye, Mom" were the last words that I spoke
Before we sang "Amazing Grace"

[Chorus]
And oh, that's just the way it is
When you're all grown up, but you're still a kid
And you realize you're somebody
That somebody loves more than themselves
And there's a beauty in the innocence
Of not knowin' that the time they spent
Is more than one could ask for
And that's a special kind of love
And it's only there for a lifetime, then it's gone
Yeah, it's only there for a lifetime, then it's gone
And it's bye, Mom
Yeah, bye, Mom