Em D
He's got no business leaving at such an early age
C G
Can't even balance his checkbook
Am
Look at him he's staring down that road
Em
Like he can't wait to get away
C G D
and he won't even give ‘em a last look
[Verse 2]
Em D
Brother's kicking gravel like it's no big deal
C G
Momma's on the front porch crying
Am Em
Dad says, “come on girl, he's got a date with the world
C G D
And it's just two less eggs to be frying”
[Chorus]
D Em D
The way it was explained to me
Em D
History repeats history
C G
Don't you know living is a lot like flying
C G D
You either do it or die trying
[Verse 3]
Em D
He wound up in the army where they cut off all his hair
C G
Gave him some boots and said, “shine ‘em”
Am
He said, “sir i don't understand
Em
Where's the enemy?”
C G D
He said, “look in the mirror you'll find him”
[Verse 4]
Em D
Right shoulder left shoulder come on soldier boy
C G
What's the matter, kid, can't you take it?
Am Em
Call your momma on the phone or write a letter back home
C G D
Tell ‘em all you ain't man enought to make it
[Chorus]
D Em D
The way it was explained to me
Em D
History repeats history
C G
Don't you know living is a lot like flying
C G D
You either do it or die trying
[spoken]
N.C.
Well, the years roll by like years do
Hanging on to anything that'll pull him through
Minimum wage rattles his cage
Now, he's fighting back at middle age
& he finds he's more than a link in the chain
He's been dragging
[Chorus]
D Em D
The way it was explained to me
Em D
History repeats history
C G
Don't you know living is a lot like flying
C G D
You either do it or die trying
[Outro]
D Em D
The way it was explained to me
Em D
History repeats history
C G
Don't you know living is a lot like flying
C G D
You either do it or die trying
[Coda]
C G D
You either do it or die trying
C G D
You either do it or die trying
C G D
You either do it or die trying
