[Verse 1]
In a single-wide across the way
Not far through Mr. Gifford's pines
Was a girl with hair like summer hay
And the mischief in her blue eyes seemed to shine
I recall her mama loved her, and I wish I could forget
The way that trailer smelled of burned out cigarettes
Or her daddy and his temper, and how his spirit seemed to fade
As time stripped every meager gift away

[Chorus]
Saw you frownin' from the pages of the hard times
And it ain't the first time, will it be the last time?

[Verse 2]
In a red brick house across the way
Not far through Mr. Gifford's pines
Born to a family sound and safe
I never knew home could be anything but fine
I never touched the darkness, I never went astray
I was treasured every moment, every single day
One is given wings and one gets more than she can bear
God in Heaven, can you tell me how that's fair?

[Chorus]
Saw you frownin' from the pages of the hard times
It ain't the first time, will it be the last time?
[Verse 3]
We are strangers now, someone told me how
You're a mother who's fightin' to stay clean
And the winding road is now my home
It drags on and changes never end
Still, I miss the days when you were just my friend

[Chorus]
Saw you frownin' from the pages of the hard times
It ain't the first time, will it be the last time?

[Outro]
I wanna hear that you have finally found the good times
For the first time, for the last time
Let it be the last time