Terry

Terry's off the track

Sent him away and he won't be back for a while

Fifteen years old

One night he lost control

Straight shots

Staggered out to the parking lot

Someone called him names

He was in no mood for games

He was irate

Courtin' fate

It all went off in the blink of an eye

There's no turnin back or questioning why

It was the heat of the moment

Flash in the pan

Blood on the gravel and a long neck in his hand

Terry's off the track

Been gone two years and he ain't been back a time

Sent him to a school

Pays attention and he minds the rules

And he makes no fuss

Says he misses us

Plays his guitar low

In his room 'neath a sixty-watt glow

Till the counselor shouts, "Lights out."

Then it all comes back

Ringin in his ear

My God boy, whatcha doin' in here?

It was the heat of the moment

A flash in the pan

Never shoulda happened

And you know it never will again

Terry's off the track

Someday he'll be comin' back, they say

His hometown looks the same

Same old streets and the same old games to play

Must be a dream

Eleven months he turns eighteen

And he's outta there

But he won't leave the walls behind

They're gonna stay with him a good long time

In the heat of the moment

Any old day

It don't take a second to throw it all away

Terry's off the track

Sent him away and he won't be back for a while