I was down so long
Everything was goin' wrong
And the people all around me
Got the news
Lord and everything I tried
Fell to pieces and slowly died
My soul was going broke
From paying dues
I was very nearly beat
When I crawled back to my feet
Believing that a change
Was overdue
Now I'm pickin' up the pieces
And takin' out new leases
Gettin' ready for the things
I want to do
And you know I'm ready
How tough is it gonna be
Are you ready
Don't keep asking me
If I'm ready, yea, yea
Leave it up to me
I'm ready as I'm gonna be
I'm ready finally
Lord I'm ready to make my way
Take it slowly from day to day
Take it easy on myself
As I roll along
Lord knows it's down to me
To write the melody
To sing my own words
To the song
And you know I'm ready ...