Three Nails

Well, I stumbled through my early years
Many a time I'd fall
I never planned my future out
Didn't matter much at all
Beer and back-room poker games
Fast cars and roadside bars
I lived and loved in Honkey Tonks
Beneath Nevada stars

Then one rainy night in April
Got the news my daddy died
I sat there on a barstool
With his picture and I cried
I remembered advice he gave me
For when everything has failed
"To build a better life, son,
All you need is just three nails"

Then I heard a voice behind me
Saying, "Son please come on home"
I turned and looked in my mama's eyes
Felt cold and all alone
She said, "Son, I got something for you"
And she reached out her trembling hand
Laid three nails down on the barstool
Said, "someday you'll understand"

I put those nails in my shirt pocket
When I left the bar that night
I drove on till the sunrise
And in the morning light
Saw an old man by a cross track
He was standing on the rails
Holding up a sign that simply read,
"All you need is just three nails"
Three Nails

Well, a year went by and in early spring
Went to visit my daddy's grave
I remembered how he lived his life
And the strange advice he gave
I had those three nails in my pocket
When I started out that day
If I knew then what I know now
I'd got on my knees and prayed

I walked slowly up the hillside
To the spot where my daddy laid
Stood there beside his tombstone
Laid those nails upon his grave
Then I heard a voice speak softly,
"Son, it's time you understood"
Then suddenly before me
Appeared a cross of wood

On that cross I saw an image
Of a scourged and battered man
He had a nail drove deep into his feet
And one nail in each hand
Well, I fell to my knees and I shouted,
"Daddy, now I understand"
"Nailed to this cross is sacrifice
And the love for fellow man"

Yes, my world has changed forever
My daddy's good advice prevails
"To build a better life, son, all you need is just three nails"
"To build a better life, son, all you need is just three nails"
"To build a better life, son, all you need is just three nails"