verse 1:
i use to know a girl named queen mary
and she will always have a part of me

even though it's been some time
you know a special love is hard to find
a devil is my broken heart

and she welcomes me with open arms
this can't be the stories end
i wonder if i'll ever see her again


chorus:
i ask why, why we always gotta learn the hard way

tell me why, why we always gotta learn the hard way
why we always gotta learn the hard way
why we always gotta learn the hard way


verse 2:
karma never use to worry me

i didn't fear the penitentiary
mama said them boys will shoot you dead
i never listened to a word she said

the devils breaking down my door
i hear her banging but there's no one home
staring at the sun can leave you blind

so every now and then i ask my self again

chorus:

why, why we always gotta learn the hard way
tell me why, why we always gotta learn the hard way
why we always gotta learn the hard way

why we always gotta learn the hard way

(instrumental bridge)


final chorus:
i ask why, why we always gotta learn the hard way

tell me why, why we always gotta learn the hard way
why we always gotta learn the hard way
why we always gotta learn the hard way


why we always gotta learn the hard way
why we always gotta learn the hard way