every valley is not a lake

don't bother grandma 'cause she's right

or you'll be in some mess

i see how you see her

creaky bones

bitchin' 'bout irs

well take a look child

through these photo albums

she sang to sailors in the war

baseball stadiums

in 1948

now you'll graduate and you think

you're going to move out now

i will congratulate you as soon

as you pay your own way

not tryin' to stick a pin

in your shiny new balloon

your alimony check won't buy a bigger room

or a new car

don't ever think about comin' by here

with that junior from up the street

sneakers squeakin' on the kitchen tile

hat pulled below his eyes

that boy is trouble in his sleep

you got your father's reckless charm

babe

long as you givin'

somebody take

well

every sermon is not the gospel

babe

let me put it in another way

every valley is not a lake

before i let you go with your friends

got one more thing to say

you think my love is tough

should've seen

your grandma in her day

so use your wits child

'cause nothing stays the same

in forty years my song will be public domain

oh

oh

oh

sharp tongue

quick switch

sharp tongue

quick switch

will make my own apology felt