Tracy Lawrence, The Hits, Then and Now lyrics

Then and Now, The Hits Collection

Used To the Pain

6 a.m alarm goes off I reach for you no longer lie but don't feel quite as lost Everyday, I drive my truck a little farther into work before your memory catchs up. The radio on, I'm not afraid I can listen to most any song the DJ wants to play Slow but sure, I'm coming around No I'm not looking back I'm moving on now but I won't go so far as to say that I'm fine too much of what I felt for you remains. I'd like to believe in the healing hands of time but the truth is I really can't say if I'm getting better or just used to the pain. End of the day head back home have a bite to eat then sit down in the living room alone. Easy chair, watch tv. Half way through the news I'm soundly sleeping but I won't go so far to say that I'm fine too much of what I felt for you remains. I'd like to believe in the healing hands of time but the truth is I really can't say if I'm getting better or just used to the pain. No I won't go so far as to say that I'm fine too much of what I felt for you remains. I'd like to believe in the healing hands of time but the truth is I really can't say if I'm getting better or just used to the pain. If I'm getting better or just used to the pain.

Paint Me a Birmingham

He was sittin' there, his brush in hand Paintin' waves as they danced, upon the sand With every stroke, he brought to life The deep blue of the ocean, against the mornin' sky I asked him if he only painted ocean scenes He said for twenty dollars, I’ll paint you anything

Could you Paint Me A Birmingham Make it look just the way I planned A little house on the edge of town Porch goin’ all the way around Put her there in the front yard swing Cotton dress make it, early spring For a while she’ll be, mine again If you can Paint Me A Birmingham

He looked at me, with knowing eyes Then took a canvas from a bag there by his side Picked up a brush, and said to me Son just where in this picture would you like to be I said if there’s any way you can Could you paint me back into her arms again.

Could you Paint Me A Birmingham Make it look just the way I planned A little house on the edge of town Porch goin' all the way around Put her there in the front yard swing Cotton dress make it, early spring For a while she’ll be, mine again If you can Paint Me A Birmingham

Paint Me A Birmingham Make it look just the way I planned A little house on the edge of town Porch goin' all the way around Put her there in the front yard swing Cotton dress make it, early spring For a while she’ll be, mine again If you can Paint Me A Birmingham

Oh Paint Me A Birmingham

If I Don't Make It Back

We went out for beers and a couple of laughs Knowin' full well that every bad joke that Jimmy told Might be his last So we laughed like the world wasn't at war Said things to him we'd never said before And he teared up as he held up his glass He said, boys, if I don't make it back Have a beer for me, don't waste no tears on me On Friday night sit on the visitors side And cheer for the home team Drive my Camaro, 90 miles an hour down Red Rock Road With 'Born to Run' blastin' on the radio And find someone good enough for Amy Who will love her like I would have If I don't make it back We said, hey, man that ain't gonna happen Don't even think like that If we know you, you'll pull through without a scratch He pulled me aside in the parkin' lot Said, Amy and me we're gonna tie the knot You're my best man, just wanted you to know that Just in case I don't make it back Have a beer for me, don't waste no tears on me On Friday night sit on the visitors side And cheer for the home team Drive my Camaro, 90 miles an hour down Red Rock Road With 'Born to Run' blastin' on the radio And find someone good enough for Amy Who will love her like I would have If I don't make it back If the good Lord calls me home I'd like to think my friends Will think about me when I'm gone Well, Miller Lite ain't my brand But I drink one every now and then, in his honour And we ain't missed a home game yet Had that Camero at 110 on Red Rock Road When the speakers blowed And I introduced Amy to a friend of mine from Monroe He's a good ol' boy But you know, she just ain't ready

IF THE WORLD HAD A FRONT PORCH

It was where my Mama sat on That old swing with her crochet It was where granddaddy taught me How to cuss and how to pray It was where we made our own ice cream those sultry summer nights Where the bulldog had her puppies and us brothers had our fights

There were many nights I'd sit right there and look out at the stars To the sound of a distant wipperwill Or the hum of a passing car It was where I first got up the nerve To steal my first kiss It was where I learned to play guitar And pray I had the gift

(Chorus) If the World had a front porch, like we did back then We'd still have our problems, but we'd all be friends Treatin your neighbor like he's your next of kin Wouldn't be gone with the wind If the world had a front porch, like we did back then

Purple hulls and pintos I've shelled more than my share As lightening bugs and crickets Danced in the evening air And like a beacon that old yellow bulb It always led me home Somehow Mama always knew Just when to leave it on

(Repeat Chorus)

Treating your neighbor like he's your next of kin Wouldn't be gone with the wind If the world had a front porch, like we did back then

STICKS AND STONES

You can take the house and everything in it Keep the diamond ring cause thats how I meant it Sticks and stones are all they ever were to me This material life with all it's value Don't mean a thing to me with you The love that we once had is all I need So take everything we have if it makes you happy But darlin let me say before I leave

(Chorus) These sticks and stones ain't all that makes a home They don't have arms to hold you when love goes wrong Now you say, we are through But the words you said just tore my heart in two

Remember when we didn't have a dime between us You took my hand and said we don't needmuch Just as long as we're together we would be fine Now we've acquired all I thought would please you I gave everything you know that I could And still you're telling me you're not satisfied So take everything we have if it makes you happy But darlin let me say before I leave

(Repeat Chorus) (tag)

Is That a Tear

The last thing I expected was to get her call tonight 'Cause the last thing that I'd heard from her Was she'd found Mr. Right But when I came home this evenin' There it was on my machine Now I'm just wondering what the hell it means (Chorus) She said she's sorry that she missed me and she's been doin' just fine I've run it back and heard her say Those words a hundred times But something makes me wonder Is she happy with her choice or is that a tear I hear in her voice ___ The first time that I listened I thought Boy she's got some nerve But the second time I heard it I heard more than just her words Am I just wishful thinkin or did her voice really crack I'll never know if I don't call her back (Repeat Chorus) (Tag) Oh is that a tear Lord is that a tear I hear in her voice

TIME MARCHES ON

Sister cries out from her baby bed Brother runs in feathers on his head Mamma's in her room learning how to sew Daddy's drinking beer, listening to the radio Hank Williams sings "Kaw Liga" and ""Dear John" And Time marches on, Time marches on
Sisters using rouge and clear complexion soap Brothers wearing beads and he smokes alot of dope Mamma is depressed, barely makes a sound Daddy's got a girlfriend in another town Bob Dylan sings "Like a rolling stone" And Time marches on, Time Marches on
(Bridge) The south moves north, the north moves south A star is born, a star burns out The only thing that stays the same Is everything changes, Everything changes
Sister calls herself a Sexy Grandma Brothers on a diet for high cholesterol Mamma's out of touch with reality Daddy's in the ground beneath a maple Tree As the angels sing an old Hank Williams Song Time marches on, Time Marches on Time Marches on, Time marches on Time Marches on, Time Marches on

I SEE IT NOW

It's good to see your face again, it's been awhile How am I doing, Well I get by somehow You sure look good since your new love came in your life You know I didn't see that fire in you he's found Oh but I see it now (Chorus) Oh I never saw that look in your eyes And I never had you hold me that tight And I never saw you dance with your feet off the ground Oh but I see It Now ___ Holding him, you never looked more beautiful Letting go has been so hard on me And sitting here, it's clear to see what he means to you The way you look at him, it ain't no mystery He's all I couldn't be (Repeat Chorus) And I never saw you dance with your feet off the ground Oh but I see it now

HOW A COWGIRL SAYS GOODBYE

A cup of coffee with the first sunlight At a last chance Texaco I'm thumbing through a worn out road map Trying to decide which way to go These empty miles and her memory They just seem to linger on She left me on this lost highway Wondering why and where she's gone

(Chorus) Thats how a cowgirl breaks a young mans heart That's how my whole world slowly came apart With a cold and empty stare As if I wasn't there She didn't even stop to cry Thats how a cowgirl says goodbye

Called up her Mom in Abilene Just to find out how she'd been She said she'd stopped awhile in San Antone To spend some time with an old friend With all the distance in between us I'm sure I never cross her mind It may take all these roads ahead Just to leave it all behind

( Repeat Chorus) ( Repeat Chorus)

ALIBIS

She knows every move that a man could make She knows every trick in the book She knows how to give, She knows how to take Cause so many times she's been taken and fooled By those....... (Chorus) Alibis and lying eyes and all the best lines Lord Knows she's heard 'em all She's been cheated on and pushed around and left alone Lord Knows what I've put her through Boy you can bet, if a move can be made She knows how to make one on you ___ She once thought that love wasn't just a game Her feelin's once came from the heart One day I gave her a weddin ring One night I tore all those feelins apart With my.... (Chorus) (Chorus)

TODAY'S LONELY FOOL

What would you say if I told you I was sorry And that I've come to realize Life means nothing without you Would you take my hand Would you forgive this man For ever doubting your love is true And could you find it in your heart To let me try and make it up to you

Yesterday a jealous man Today a lonely fool I let love slip right through my hands With all the hurt I've handed you I've gotta stop your love from dying Or I'll be living proof That yesterday's jealous man Is today's lonely fool

Darlin' from now on I'll be proud when other men notice you Instead of gettin' mean and loud Like I used to do Find some mercy in your heart And we'll make another start At the love that we once knew I won't hurt you anymore I'm gonna trust you now and never question you

I'm today's lonely fool

CAN'T BREAK IT TO MY HEART

I never felt as helpless, as I do today My world just fell around me as I watched you drive away Theres nothing left between us, somehow we've grown apart Cause I've got through my head, I just can't break it to my heart (Chorus) I can't believe this is me on the hurtin side of pain Siftin through the ashes still tryin to find a flame But the flame has turned to embers left glowing in the dark I've got it through my head, I just can't break it to my heart ___ If I could, Lord knows I would spin back the hands of time and piece these scattered memories that are cluttered in my head Pick up where we left off and make a brand new start I've got it through my head, I just can't break it to my heart (Chorus)

LESSONS LEARNED

I was ten years old the day I got caught With some dime store candy that I never bought I hung my head and I faced the wall as Daddy showed me wrong from right He said this hurts me more than it does you Theres just some things son, that you just don't do Is anything I'm sayin' getting through Daddy I can see the light (Chorus) Oh Lessons learned, man they sure run deep They don't go away and they don't come cheap Oh theres no way around it Cause this world turns on lessons learned Granddaddy was a man I loved He bought me my first ball and glove Even taught me how to drive his old truck Circling that ol' town square He spoke of life with a slow southern drawl I never heard him cause I knew it all But I sure listened when I got the call That he was no longer there (Chorus) Oh Lessons learned, man they sure run deep They don't go away and they don't come cheap Oh theres no way around it cause this world turns On lessons learned

(Solo|repeat chorus)

TEXAS TORNADO

You called me up from Amarillo, said you were coming to town And thought I'd like to tell you hello, and drive an old friend around I pulled up to the airport, confident and cool But when you stepped off that plane, I knew I was your fool (Chorus) My Little Texas Tornado, blowing me away again I swore it wouldn't happen again, but I looked at you and then I'm like a tumbleweed in a wild west Texas wind You're blowing me away again ___ You're lying with me in Atlanta, it's such a beautiful lie You play me like a piano, I always let you get by I know I'll go through hell girl, when you find someone else But right now I'm in heaven, and I can't help myself (Repeat Chorus) I'm like a tumbleweed in a wild west Texas wind You're blowing me away again Texas Tornado Blowing me away again, I swore it wouldn't happen again But I look at you and then I'm like a tumbleweed in a wild west Texas wind

STARS OVER TEXAS

As you lie in my arms Girl my hearts on my sleeve Words come so hard, in moments like these theres feelings I have, that are so hard to show But right now theres one thing I want you to know
(Chorus) As long as the tides ebb The earth turns the sun sets I promise I'll always be true And as long as theres Stars over Texas Darling I'll hang the moon for you
I know I have stumbled and caused you some tears When you needed me most I haven't always been there I know I'm not always the man I should be But don't ever wonder what you mean to me
(Repeat Chorus)
(Tag) And as long as theres stars over Texas Darling I'll hang the moon for you Darling I'll hang the moon for you

MY SECOND HOME

There's a Honkey Tonk on the edge of town I used to call my second home It's a place to go just to get away When I wanted to be alone Well, early one morning had a fight with my darling That went from bad to worse It ended when she said "Your second home, just became your first" (Chorus) Now the jukebox is my alarm clock, I wake up in a corner booth I don't have a tab, don't need no cab Cause the dance floor is my living room Well, I might die of a broken heart But I'll never die of thirst Now that my second home has become my first ___ Well I don't have to pay no mortgage I don't have to mow no lawn Alot of friends come to see me Some stay until the break of dawn I can paint the town without leaving the house I can feel good until it hurts Now that my home sweet second home Just became my first (Chorus)

IF THE GOOD DIE YOUNG

It was Sunday morning, I was seven years old In the backyard playing in a big mudhole I was all decked out, ready for church Had my brand new suit all covered in dirt Mama hit the ceiling she was fit to be tied Talkin 'bout how shes gonna tan my hide But Daddy was laughing when I changed my clothes 'Saying "Mama leave the boy alone" (Chorus) Cause if the good die young If the good die young Mama's little boy gonna have alot of fun Cause he's gonna live forever if the good die young ___ Ten years later had a hot rod ford Constable clocked me at a hundred and four Judge said "boy you're gonna hurt yourself you'd a long been dead if you were anybody else" (Chorus) Cause if the good die young If the good die young Oh there ain't a sentence gonna hold you son Cause he's gonna live forever if the good die young ___ Well I got a good heart, I wouldn't hurt a soul But I'm gonna keep rocking till they call that roll Old St.Peter he's gonna have to wait I'm gonna go to heaven but I might be late (Chorus) Cause if the good die young If the good die young Pedal to the metal, let your motor run Cause he's gonna live forever if the good die young ___ (Chorus) And if the good die young if the good die young They got the jams, we'll have some fun Cause I'm gonna live forever if the good die young ___

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