after seventeen years behind bars and lookin back on his mistakes he sat down and poured out his heart when his son came to see him today he spoke with a voice that trembled tryin to hold back the tears he said i ain t been much of a father son i wish i could turn back the years cause life s like a river and the water is deep cross it with care or you ll end up like me let my mistakes be your steppin stones and walk on the rocks that i stumbled on he said son stay away from the bottle watch out for the company you keep and hold on to those you love cause love is a man s greatest need the right way may not be easy the right road ain t always straight son please don t follow the footsteps that lead to where i am today cause life s like a river and the water is deep cross it with care or you ll end up like me let my mistakes be your steppin stones and walk on the rocks that i stumbled on walk on the rocks that i stumbled on