Only fools would race down Grist Mill Road   Let alone in angry weather   That what I tell everyone I know   Now that I know better   That's a lesson I wish I woulda learned   Without havin' to watch my Mustang burn   Before my best buddy had to wind up hurt    An' his whole life changed   That's a lesson I wish I didn't learn the hard way      Only a fool would keep a diamond ring   In a box on the top of his closet   He came so close; he almost asked   It was right there in his pocket   That's a lesson I wish I woulda learned   Before standin' in the back row of that church   Watchin' her daddy givin' her   To the man who took my place   That's a lesson I wish I didn't learn the hard way      Regret's been know to give a man a beatin'    But I ain't in the mood for fightin' back this evenin'      Only fools don't take the time of day    They stay too busy runnin'   An' to stop just once to tell their Dad   Just how much they love him   That's a lesson I wish I woulda learned   Before that phone call came an' it was her   No, Momma never had to say a word   I knew it was too late   That's a lesson I wish I didn't learn the hard way      The hard way   The hard way    The hard way