What I Almost Was

It was my senior year, I just turned eighteen
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 twenty four diveAnd 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 letting my dreams go bustBut I thank God I ain't what I almost wasYeah, I moved on back home and came awful close
To being some son-in-law to some CEO
Coulda been a corner office, country club, suit and tie man
Answerin' to no one but her and himI ran out on his money, ran out on her love
At four in the mornin' I loaded my truck
I left my home town in a big cloud of dust
I just had to follow my gutAnd I thank God I ain't what I almost wasGuitar town, I bought this old Epi-phone
Started stringin' chords and words into songs
I've been puttin' in time on Sixteenth Avenue
Pourin' out my heart for tips on a stoolI 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 loveAnd I thank God I ain't, yeah, I thank God I ain't
And I thank God I ain't what I almost was