The Hard Way - Paula Cole

What a fall from Grace, what a cruel deceit, 
What a lack of love behind the sociopathy.
Used me for your secrets, used me for some dimes, 
Breaking blood upon this single mother's whipping hide, 
And this bitter wisdom makes me quiet and still.
Peace and happiness, in our hearth and home, 
Just optimistic wishes from my blind and trusting hope.
If only I had listened to that inner voice, 
I never would have carried out that people-pleasing choice.
And this bitter wisdom makes me scared to trust again.
I found out the hard way, I tasted the apple.
Found out the hard way, abandoned the garden of innocence.
Yes I walked the aisle to make a man of you, 
But those very papers brought me unexpected truth.
Crawling back to zero, these lessons in my life, 
Bring me closer to the tender mortal life am I, 
And this sober wisdom brings silver linings to light.
I found out the hard way, I tasted the apple, 
Found out the hard way, I played in the lightning, 
Found out the hard way by pushing the boundaries, 
Found out the hard way, abandoned the garden of innocence.
Found out the hard way, discovered a backbone, 
Found out the hard way, I learned to love myself, 
Found out the hard way, the payment for freedom, 
Found out the hard way, abandoned the garden of innocence.