“Hard Times and Highway Lights”

Bar lights fade into the morning gray,
Another paycheck, another place I can’t stay.
Left my home to chase a little more pay,
But the miles just took my heart away.

Times got hard, had to leave that town,
Steel boots, long weeks, twelve hours down.
Told her “I’ll be home when I can,”
But the road don’t wait for a broken man.

She sent a letter, said “Don’t lose your way,”
But the bottle spoke louder most nights I’d stay.
A flashing blue light on a Friday night,
Put my dreams on hold ‘til I made it right.

These hard times, they cut like a knife,
Working out of town just cost me my life.
Thought I’d drink to forget, but the truth still burns,
A man only heals when he finally learns.
Now I’m standing in the light of a long, long fight,
Trying to find grace under highway lights.

Judge said “Son, you better change your ways,”
So I traded late nights for sober days.
Took that rig and I headed back home,
One more chance, one heart I’d known.

She was waitin’ on the porch, same old smile,
Said, “I been prayin’ for you all this while.”
Now I swing that hammer, but I ain’t the same,
Hard times taught me how to face my pain.

Ain’t no shame in fallin’ down,
Only if you don’t stand your ground.
Ain’t no sin that can’t be saved,
If you find the strength to walk away.

These hard times still cut like a knife,
But I thank God He gave me this life.
Used to drown my heart, now I let it sing,
‘Cause grace don’t come without a sting.
From the wreck to the light of a brand new night,
I found redemption under highway lights.

Yeah, them highway lights still shine on me,
A better man than I used to be.

“Hard Times and Highway Lights”

Colt Redding

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