The Drifter's Misfortune

[Intro] (instrumental with finger-picked guitar) [Verse 1] I recall that old drifter, from '09 Was sleeping in a ditch, soaking wet. He was looking lean with a broken-down sign A night I'll never forget. I'd seen his kind too often - it's sad But life can't always be fair I've been in that ditch too when things were bad So I drove off and left him there. [Chorus] We all get a portion of the heartache and pain, No use complaining in the rain. There ain't enough good comfort to go around, So pull yourself from the ground. In the school of hard knocks, it's a gamble, a game, You swallow your hurt, hide the shame. It's a lesson you learn when your luck has run down, When you're on the bad side of town. [Verse 2] Then one day the bank took my house away, I was out of options and beat. My luck ran dry, I had nowhere to stay, Was forced from my home to the street. I went to my neighbors, hoping for some good, My pride in my pocket, you see, They just shook their heads, said that they understood And said my own words back to me. [Chorus 2] We all get a portion of the heartache and pain, No use complaining in the rain. There ain't enough good comfort to go around, So pull yourself from the ground. In the school of hard knocks, it's a gamble, a game, You swallow your hurt, hide the shame. It's a lesson you learn when your luck has run down, When you're on the bad side of town. [Bridge] I stood on their back porch, feelin' the shame, I felt the cold and somber sting. I'd used those words on the drifter in the rain, Without thinking about a thing. I thought if I helped, I would get stuck I couldn't compromise my heart If I leant him my hand, I'd just push my luck It wasn't worth my part [Chorus 3] But he wasn't looking for a fix, or a word, Just a soul to be seen and be heard. 'Cause a heart's not a cup that runs dry when you pour, You've got to leave those thoughts at the door. It ain't keeping score of who's hurting the worst, Or which of us hit the bottom first. It's a hand in the dark when you're stuck in the gray To help us all find our way [Instrumental Outro]