It was my senior year, I just turned 18
I was a Friday night hero with division one dreams
I had an offer on the table, a four-year ride
'Til that fourth and two, and 24 dive

I left on a stretcher, wound up on a crutch
Walked on that next summer, wound up getting cut
I flipped off that coach, left that school in the dust
For lettin' my dreams go bust
But I thank God I ain't what I almost was

Yeah, I moved on back home and came awful close
To being some son-in-law to some CEO
Could've been a corner office, country club, suit and tie man
Answerin' to no one but her and him

I ran out on his money, ran out on her love
At four in the mornin', I loaded my truck
I left my hometown in a big cloud of dust
I just had to follow my gut
And I thank God I ain't what I almost was

Guitar town, I bought this old Epiphone
Started stringin' chords and words into songs
I've been puttin' in time on 16th Avenue
Pourin' out my heart for tips on a stool

I ain't makin' a killin' but then there's those nights
When the song comes together and hits them just right
The crowds on their feet 'cause they can't get enough
Of this music I make and I love
And I thank God I ain't, yeah, I thank God I ain't
Man, I thank God I ain't what I almost was