[Chorus: Kevin Max & Michael Tait]
Some people gotta learn the hard way
I guess I'm the kind of guy that has to find out for myself
I had to learn the hard way, Father
I'm on my knees and I'm cryin' for help (For help, for help)
Ooh ooh-ooh

[Verse 1: TobyMac]
Now I've been high and I've been low
I've been some places that you will not go
I never thought there would come the day
When I wished I never woulda lived this way

[Pre-Chorus: Michael Tait]
But I've been searchin' for a long, long time
I thought the Devil was a friend of mine
I turned my back on everything that was true
And wasted years that belong to You

[Chorus: Kevin Max & Michael Tait]
Some people gotta learn the hard way (Ooh ooh-ooh)
I guess I'm the kinda guy that has to find out for myself
I had to learn the hard way, Father (Ooh ooh-ooh)
I'm on my knees and I'm cryin' for help (For help, for help)

[Verse 2: TobyMac]
It took so long for me to see
That I'm a victim of a nature and me
Left to myself I realize
I am a maker of my own demise
[Pre-Chorus: Michael Tait]
But You accept me every time and again
And never mention just how selfish I've been
Why must it always take me so long to see
That I have fallen but You will forgive me?

[Chorus: Kevin Max & Michael Tait]
Some people gotta learn the hard way (Ooh ooh-ooh)
I guess I'm the kind of guy who's got to find out for myself
I had to learn the hard way, Father (Ooh ooh-ooh)
I'm on my knees and I'm cryin'… (I'm cryin', I'm cryin')

[Post-Chorus: Kevin Max]
…For Your help
Oh, I need Your help

[Chorus: Kevin Max & Michael Tait]
Some people gotta learn the hard way (Ooh ooh-ooh)
I guess I'm the kind of guy who's got to find out for myself
I had to learn the hard way, Father (Ooh ooh-ooh)
I'm on my knees and I'm cryin'… (And I'm cryin', and I'm cryin')

[Bridge: TobyMac]
The warning signs are like flares in the night
Still I proceed my greed is in spite of the fire
I know that's bound to burn
Why is it that I always gotta learn…
[Outro: TobyMac & Michael Tait]
The hard way? The hard way (Ooh ooh-ooh)
I had to learn the hard way
The hard way, the hard way (Ooh ooh-ooh)
I had to learn the hard way
Ooh ooh-ooh
Ooh ooh-ooh
Ooh ooh-ooh
Ooh ooh-ooh