I've seen the nights when the lights cut out Hungry mouths and a house full of doubt Prayed to a God I wasn't sure I knew Begged for mercy just to make it through Hard times, don't own me no more I've been down, l've been broke L've been flat on the floor But grace came knockin' at my door Hard times, don't own me no more I've watched my brothers fall to the flame Chased by demons, shackled by shame But every sinner's got a song to sing And every cage still has broken wings Yeah I was raised on pain, raised on hurt Had a Bible in the drawer and my face in the dirt Mama said: Son, there's a better way to live But I ain't understand what the good Lord gives Now I'm standin' on a stage with my scars in the light Telling’ every lost soul it's gon' be all right You can rise from the ashes, I'm the proof you can Hard times don't break a broken man Hard times, don't own me no more I've been down, I've been broke, l've been flat on the floor But grace came knockin' at my door Hard times, don't own me no more Yeah, they come, but they don't stay Hard times ain't got the last word today