[Verse 1: Sparrow]
There once was a time when there was nothing but time
When the concept of time wasn't lost among all of the times
When a loved one wasn't gone; when something I loved was still mine
When writing a rhyme didn't require such a careful eye
Fixed upon what tense I put my lines in
When the wrong felt wrong, and the right fell right in line
When acting upon a gut feeling was alright
When "acting" was synonymous with a drama cla**
When "dramatic" described those most likely to overreact
When life was dramatic, but didn't require us to put on an act
There once was a time when I knew how to react
Cause once upon a time, I could call upon my intuition
And if that felt right, then that was that; there wasn't such a disconnect
Wasn't so much bullsh** to hurdle just to run along an open track
[Hook 1: Sparrow]
I sprinted on it; never worried about a turn
I just took them as they'd come
As if a left one was the only one
And no matter what it would turn out OK
When it wasn't work just to stay on track
When there was today, and yesterday was in the past
When grey was just a mixture of white and black
There once was a time when
Nothing and no one could hold my true colors back
[Verse 2: Sparrow]
There once was a time when there was time for everything
When time was on my side, and I wasn't "on" or "off" of it
When I was honestly sorry when I robbed others of theirs
But that was when giving an apology wasn't something scoffed at
And It was common to see common sense in everyday life
Enough to suggest I wouldn't bother being late
If I didn't wanna be there to begin with - But, hey
I don't wanna be too honest; nah, thats a mistake
One I guess I've been making far too often lately
So, I guess I have some adjustments I've got to make
I'm giving in; I'll play along with all the silly games
There once was at time when I had plenty energy
Within me to resist this nonsense charade
When I could get along while walking upstream
When I would still make my way
While going against the currents of the waves
When I felt alive just in knowing I didn't live a lie
When I didn't have to k** myself inside to survive
[Hook 2: Sparrow]
My headlights on; life kept them working well
I kept moving clockwise, as if the clock was the track
I would ride with "Father Time"
And I trusted his wise hands with the wheel
Never second guessed him for a second
Just felt blessed to be along for the ride
Yeah, there once was a time
When life was more than just time
When I proved myself to others over time
Just by letting my true colors shine
[Verse 3: Sparrow]
All of the accomplishments; all the squandered opportunities
A lot of thought allotted to each of these
Got a college degree, that's not what it used to be
There once was a time when I thought it'd be all I'd need
I forgot some strong knowledge
We're all taught when we're smaller
All there is is honor in following our hearts
Because our dreams are all we've got
And "dreamers" we are not, as long as we seek them out
Some come easier than others
But all we see was created out of the dark
Yeah, I'm far from where I want to be
But I'm far from where I'm going to be
A man as flawed as his blemished skin
My armor's got more chinks in it than there's ever been
But once there was a time when
This just strengthened the argument suggesting
That I've been accomplishing all I ever wanted
In always letting my true colors show
Even when it's drawing attention
To the parts I'm far from fond of letting all y'all know
Once there was a time when I decided I would never part with
The idea that I would give it my best
Because our best shot is all we got