If I Could Talk to That

IF I COULD TALK TO THAT YOUNG MAN [Intro — Rhodes & Clean Guitar] Ooooh… Lead: If I could go back… Not to change everything. Just long enough to tell that young man a few things. Man… He thought he knew everything. ⸻ [Verse 1] I’d find him somewhere around twenty, Thinking the whole world owed him time. Running with people he’d someday forget, Leaving the good ones behind. I’d see that pride sitting on his shoulders, That fire burning in his eyes. And I’d say, “Son, slow down for a minute. There’s something you don’t realize.” [Pre-Chorus] Those nights you’re chasing won’t last forever. Those friends won’t all stay around. And some of the people you love today… One day you’ll wish you could call right now. [Chorus] Lead: IF I COULD TALK TO THAT YOUNG MAN… Background: What would you say? I’d tell him, Love your people while they’re here. Background: While they’re still here… Call your father. Hug your mother. Don’t be too damn proud to shed a tear. I’d say, Money comes and money goes. And life moves faster than you know. But the people sitting at your table— They’re the things worth more than gold. ⸻ [Verse 2] I’d tell him someday you’ll have a family, And they’ll watch everything you do. You’ll hear your father’s words come from your mouth And laugh because you’re becoming him too. You’ll understand those serious talks You used to roll your eyes about. You’ll wish you could sit down beside him And say, “Dad… I get it now.” Background: I understand… [Verse 3] I’d tell him, You’re gonna make some bad decisions. You’re gonna hurt. You’re gonna lose. You’re gonna have nights when you’re surrounded by everybody And still feel confused. You’ll look for peace in all the wrong places. You’ll think being tough means standing alone. Until one night life brings you to your knees— And you finally whisper, “Jesus… I wanna come home.” ⸻ [Chorus] If I could talk to that young man… Background: What would you say? I’d tell him, Don’t wait so long to find your faith. Don’t let somebody else’s opinion Make you scared to say His name. You’re gonna fall. You’re gonna fail. But don’t confuse falling with being finished. Because God’s gonna use some roads you never would’ve chosen To teach you who you really are. ⸻ [Bridge — Music Drops to Bass & Rhodes] Lead: Then I think that young man might look at me and ask— “So… did we make it?” And I’d probably laugh. I’d say— “Depends what you mean.” Did we become rich? Not in every way we imagined. Did everything go according to plan? Hell no. Did we get everything right? Not even close. But… We found somebody who loved us when we didn’t have much. We built a family. We learned how important our father’s words really were. We found our way back to God. And we’re still standing. So yeah, kid… We made it. ⸻ [Instrumental — Guitar Solo] Background vocals: Ooooh… You made it… Still standing… ⸻ [FINAL CHORUS — STRINGS ENTER] Lead: IF I COULD TALK TO THAT YOUNG MAN… I’d put my hand upon his shoulder. I’d say, You’re gonna lose some people you swear you can’t live without. Background: But keep going… You’re gonna carry some scars nobody else can see. Keep going… You’re gonna question God sometimes. Keep praying… You’re gonna question yourself. Keep growing… Lead: But one day you’ll look into the mirror And finally understand— Being a man was never about how much you could carry alone. It was learning who was worth carrying it for. ⸻ [Vamp — Soul Group + Gospel Voices] Lead: Love your family! Background: WHILE THEY’RE HERE! Call your people! WHILE THEY’RE HERE! Say “I love you”! WHILE THEY’RE HERE! Forgive somebody! WHILE THEY’RE HERE! Lead: And if your father’s still living— CALL HIM. If your mother’s still living— HUG HER. If your children need you— BE THERE. And if you’ve wandered from God— COME HOME. ⸻ [Outro — Rhodes & Guitar] Lead: Then before I left, I’d look at that young man one last time. And I know exactly what he’d ask me. “Would Dad be proud of us?” … Yeah, kid. I think he would. Not because we became perfect. But because after everything life threw at us… We kept trying. We kept loving. We kept getting back up. And we’re still becoming. Background: Still becoming… Lead: Then I’d tell him one last thing. “Enjoy being young, kid. You don’t need to rush. Life’s coming fast enough.” And I’d walk away. Probably wishing… I could be twenty for just five more minutes. Ooooh… End.