As the sun shines on me   I am here to wait   For the days of worry   Don't worry me      Lesson one was hardest   Hardest one to take   But that's just the way I am      All the nights I laid there   On my back and prayed   That I would be a better man today      I was hurting for the things I'd said and done   Hurting for the someone      It's all down the river (way down the river)   Past is past and done is done   Listen to the teacher (listen to your preacher)   And do your best my son      Keener for the lessons I have learned   Wiser by a thousand years   Does the heart grow stronger   When it's love is spurned   And is that why I'm still here      And the nights when I laid there   On my back and prayed   Never stopped the looping anyway   Happiness is hardest as you reach the end of the road      It's all down the river (way down the river)   Past is past and done is done   Listen to the teacher (listen to your preacher)   Then you'll know best my son      It's all down the river (way down the river)   Past is past and done is done   Listen to the teacher (listen to your preacher)   And do your best my son