I took a wrong turn down a dead-end street and fell into another bar
I shook off the rain, pulled up a seat and drowned my weary heart
An old man sat down next to me with years etched on his face
He said: You better take it easy son, or you'll never leave this place
I laughed and bought another drink, and a double for him too
I told him all my struggles and the hell I'm going through
The broken dreams, the things I've seen, and the people I've let down
He raised a glass and half a smile and bought another round

And he said: Don't tell me, 'cause you know I wrote the book
And trouble's been my shadow for so long
But the words I wrote, they won't do you any good
You gotta live your life before you're dead and gone

We laughed and cried for hours as we drank away the night
He spoke of sins and celebrations, the stories of his life
Son, you think you've got it tough, as bad as it can get
But I've seen my share of ups and downs, and you ain't seen nothing yet
You ain't seen nothing yet

So don't tell me, 'cause you know I wrote the book
And trouble's been my shadow for so long
But the words I wrote, they won't do you any good
You gotta live your life before you're dead and gone

The lights go up
We've had too much and everyone's gone home
But let's have one more for the good times
And one more for the road, one more for the road

Don't tell me, 'cause you know I wrote the book
And trouble's been my shadow for so long
But the words I wrote, they won't do you any good
You gotta live your life before you're dead and gone
You gotta live your life before you're dead and gone