The Graying Side of Life

I found a picture in a coffee-stained drawer

Two kids on a tailgate, summer of ’94

Back when forever was a Friday night

And time moved slow in the dashboard light

Now the mirror don’t lie when the morning comes

There’s silver in the places that the black once was

But every line’s just a road I’ve known

Every mile says I made it home

Welcome to the graying side of life

Where the fast lane fades into porch-light nights

Where the dreams you chased turn into memories you keep

And the prayers you whispered finally let you sleep

It ain’t losing youth, it’s learning why

There’s a little more truth in these tired eyes

Yeah, the view gets clearer with a little time

On the graying side of life

I used to think gettin’ older meant givin’ in

Now I know it’s just learnin’ where the good things have been

In the laugh lines carved by the love we made

In the dues we paid and the songs we played

Got a few more aches and a slower stride

But I wouldn’t trade what these years supplied

Every scar’s just proof somehow

I survived the then and now

Welcome to the graying side of life

Where the fast lane fades into porch-light nights

Where the dreams you chased turn into memories you keep

And the prayers you whispered finally let you sleep

It ain’t losing youth, it’s learning why

There’s a little more truth in these tired eyes

Yeah, the view gets clearer with a little time

On the graying side of life

If I could talk to that kid back then

I’d say don’t fear where the road line ends

Every sunset’s just a softer dawn

And the best of you keeps rollin’ on

Welcome to the graying side of life

Where the wrong turns lead you right

Where the ones you love are the ones still near

And every hard road got you here

It ain’t losing youth, it’s earning pride

In the miles you’ve walked and the tears you cried

Yeah, the view gets clearer with a little time

On the graying side of life

So pour another cup and watch the sky

Ain’t so bad on the graying side of life.