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In the Past Tense

Headin' back to my hometown, been a while since I've been ‘round.

They tore all the playgrounds down and built up dollar bills.
Knocking on your old front door, visit friends from way before,
but they don't answer anymore there’s so much space to fill.

And I'm trying to drive the memories from eyes that beg to cry.
I traded my security for open highway skies, and if Father Time was Peter Pan
the wind may not have took my hand.
No point trying to understand ‘cause I ain’t coming back again.

Traced my footprints back today, wondered if I should have stayed.
Makes no difference anyway ‘cause nothing stays the same.
Been around this whole wide world still can’t shake that hometown girl.
But she grew up and married Earl and done forgot my name.
‘Cause lately I've been falling through the holes inside my shoes.
An empty pocket doesn't mean you've got nothing to lose.
Yeah, the years roll by the wheels turn fast you can’t reverse the hourglass.
No point trying to catch the past ‘cause it ain't coming back again.

Someone told me long ago youth's the emerald of the soul
live it up before you’re old ‘cause I was once like you.
I looked up at him and smiled, back then I still had a while
but I've walked a thousand miles and now I know the truth.
People take for granted all the stagnant times they share.
I’ll betcha’ one day you’ll look back and wish that you were there.
Yeah, the page is filled, the story’s told my hometown breeze is blowing cold.
See ya' somewhere on the road ‘cause I ain't coming back again.