GGDDGGDD
[Verse 1]
G
Well, I was at that smart-ass time of my life,
When I’d pick a fight just to pick a fight
D
If he said black, I said white, if he took one side I took the other side
G
The dinner table we sat around, was more like a battleground
D
And I lost more times than I won, I woulda learned later on
BmGA
That he was always preachin’ ‘bout his past
BmGA
I just kept screamin’ “Come on, Dad!”
[Chorus 1]
DEm7/B
That was twenty years ago, you don’t know me at all!
GA
Tryin’ to talk to you is like talkin’ to the wall
DEm7/B
Yeah, you gave me my life, but it’s my life to live
D/F#GAGD
Maybe I don’t wanna live it like you did, Twenty years ago
[Verse 2]
G
He was built with blue collar sweat and blood, square jaw and a crew cut
D
A purple heart, a Viet Vet, he'd tell you every chance he'd get
G
Always runnin’ down my rock n' roll, my friends, my hair, my clothes
D
One night it all got out of control, and right there we came to blows
BmGABmGA
And that was just enough to get me gone, I couldn't wait to prove him wrong!
[Chorus 2]
DEm7/B
Twenty years ago, I struck out on my own
GA
Couldn't tell me nothin’, I didn’t already know
DEm7/B
Yeah, I was on my way, what the hell did I care
D/F#
About my old man and his gray hair
GAEm7/BBmEm7/BBm
Thought about the road I chose, twenty years ago
[Bridge 1]
Em7/B
Well I left as fast as the leaves fell that autumn
BmEm7/B
I never looked back and I never once called him, but every time I talked to Momma
Bm
I wondered if he was there, or if he even cared
Em7/B
I figured I walked out on him and the course of our love had run
Bm
Momma said 'no, no, you listen to me son,
Em7/B
He’s a stubborn man and he won't give in.
Bm
He believes what he believes, well you’re just like him'
[Bridge 2]
Cadd9Csus2Cadd9
Well I could tell by her voice that there was something wrong
Cadd9
She broke down, and said he ain’t got long
Csus2Cadd9
So I caught the next plane home, thought about all the years gone
Cadd9Csus2
How my pride had let so much time go by
G/BEm7
I ran up those stairs and stood by his bed and I cried
[Chorus 3]
DEm7/B
Twenty years ago, I thought I knew it all
GA
But tryin’ to talk to me, was like talkin’ to the wall
DEm7/B
I thought I was a man, actin’ like I did
D/F#G
But all I want right now, is just to be your kid
[Outro]
Em7/BD/F#G
Just before my dad gave up the ghost
Em7/BD/F#GAG
He took my hand and said "son let it go”, that was twenty years ago
G
Twenty years ago