Em                                      D
He's got no business leaving at such an early age
C                             G
Can't even balance his checkbook
Am
Look at him he's staring down that road
Em
Like he can't wait to get away
          C              G                 D
and he won't even give ‘em a last look

[Verse 2]
Em                                      D
Brother's kicking gravel like it's no big deal
C                                    G
Momma's on the front porch crying
                Am                           Em
Dad says, “come on girl, he's got a date with the world
                C    G                  D
And it's just two less eggs to be frying”

[Chorus]
D                    Em     D
The way it was explained to me
           Em               D
History repeats history
                     C                     G
Don't you know living is a lot like flying
              C          G   D
You either do it or die trying

[Verse 3]
Em                                                 D
He wound up in the army where they cut off all his hair
C                                        G
Gave him some boots and said, “shine ‘em”
                Am
He said, “sir i don't understand
                Em
Where's the enemy?”
            C                      G              D
He said, “look in the mirror you'll find him”

[Verse 4]
Em                                             D
Right shoulder left shoulder come on soldier boy
C                                        G
What's the matter, kid, can't you take it?
Am                                                   Em
Call your momma on the phone or write a letter back home
                    C           G              D
Tell ‘em all you ain't man enought to make it

[Chorus]
D                    Em     D
The way it was explained to me
           Em               D
History repeats history
                     C                     G
Don't you know living is a lot like flying
              C          G   D
You either do it or die trying

[spoken]
N.C.
Well, the years roll by like years do
Hanging on to anything that'll pull him through
Minimum wage rattles his cage
Now, he's fighting back at middle age
& he finds he's more than a link in the chain
He's been dragging

[Chorus]
D                    Em     D
The way it was explained to me
           Em               D
History repeats history
                     C                     G
Don't you know living is a lot like flying
              C          G   D
You either do it or die trying

[Outro]
D                    Em     D
The way it was explained to me
           Em               D
History repeats history
                     C                     G
Don't you know living is a lot like flying
              C          G   D
You either do it or die trying

[Coda]
              C          G   D
You either do it or die trying
              C          G   D
You either do it or die trying
              C          G   D
You either do it or die trying