I started out this life 40 years ago A boy free made a big man's choice Headed out to a place where few man stray Grabbed the wheel strapped in Started doin it the hard way Grew up a little different than the rest of the kids Every day I placed a new bid Higher and higher it had to be paid Beating on down, gonna do it the hard way I've worked my hands for everything I've got Cut a deal with a man that I aint forget I'll be paying that debt till they take me away I'll just keep doin it the hard way Solos Some people choose an easy route It's a short ride up but a long way down I sometimes wonder would I change it today Would I do it the same when it came... The hard way I've worked my hands for everything I've got Cut a deal with a man that I aint forgot I'll be paying that debt till they take me away I'll just keep doin it... the hard way Solo Was it worth the price Its hard to say It's cost me things that money can't pay I've lost a few lives along the way But I'd do it all over... The hard way I've worked my hands for everything I've got Cut a deal with a man that I aint forgot I'll be paying that debt till they take me away I'll just keep doin it. the hard way