I learned to swim
when daddy threw me in the river
The Army taught me
how to shine my shoes
The years have shown me
that nothin' lasts forever
But everything I know about the blues
I learned from you

I thought I'd seen
my share of bad luck and hard times
But nothin' set me up
for what you put me through
I learned a lesson
that will hurt me for a lifetime
'Cause everything I know about the blues
I learned from you

I know that promises
are things that just get broken
And you can't trust a woman's tears
And if love is what you place your hope in
All your hope may disappear
In certain circles I've acquired a reputation
But I give credit where credit is due
Yes it's true I got a first rate education
'Cause everything I know about the blues
I learned from you