The One I Was Then

I've been on the road so long
The straight-and-narrow I've been on
Is crooked as this smile that I fake
And I need you like I need a drink
Or a cigarette and some time to think
About the choices that you and me make

And I feel lonely
And I'm so sorry

And I remember the morning of Christmas Day
I was still drunk and you were so afraid
To end up with someone like me
And then it all seemed to fall apart
In a foreign land, ridin' in your car
As you sang, "I still don't know what love means"

And man, that hurt me
Just like I hurt you

And I have done some thinking and changing along the way
And I wish that you could just see who I am today
I know I'm a damn good man
I know you did the best you can
With the one I was then

I never wanted all of this
But oil and water, they never mix
Until you light a match and turn it to a flame
And there won't be another time around
I had my chance and I shot it down
Just a bird and a rifle to blame

Man, I hate that song
I play it all night long

And I have been thinking and changing along the way
And I wish that you could just see who I am today
I know I'm a damn good man
I know you did the best you can
With the one I was then

And I've learned from my mistakes
The next one won't be afraid
Of the one I was then