If We Knew

[Verse 1]
There was boy
'Bout two years old
That's much too young
Too see what would unfold
His dad's so bold
So full of lies
Caught up in things
That would take his life
He'd leave behind (He'd leave behind)
Old words unsaid
His loved ones learned (His loved ones learned)
To deal with it

[Chorus]
But when his boy got older
With less than a little guidance
Needed more assurance
A little strength and courage
But if he knew what he knows now
He may be with us still
If he knew what he knows now
Oh-oh

[Verse 2]
There was girl
'Bout three years old
To laugh and play
Should have been the goals
Her family moved
From place to place
Free spirits and
Money they couldn't waste
She'd be alone (She'd be alone)
More times than few
Too many men
Trusted and out of view
One took her in
And used his knife
Scarred her inside
And changed her life

[Chorus]
So when she had daughters of her own
Her memories could no longer escape her
They affected all the choices that she would make
But if she knew what she knows now
She wouldn't take the blame
If she knew what she knows now

[Verse 3]
I was the girl
Who felt so strong
'Bout anything
In this world when I saw wrong
I smile a lot
Sometimes cry alone
When it got too much
I had a place to turn
I wish that I
Could heal your pain
Capture the truth
Secrets filled with shame, oh

[Chorus]
'Cause if you want I'll tell the world (Tell the world)
All the things you couldn't say
And hope that you can find your way
'Cause I know what I know now
I was preparing for today
If we knew what we know now
We could have made a better day
If we knew what we know now
We'd know there was a different way
If we knew what we know now

[Bridge]
But we all learn by example (Example)
We can become our worst fear (Oh, oh)
Certain lesson we should hold on (Hold on)
Some don't serve us anymore (Anymore)
Our parents raised us how they knew how (How they knew how)
They didn't know a better way
I just try as hard you do
'Cause don't wanna make the same mistake

[Outro]
Hope that you
Can find your way
Hope that you
Can find your way