If I could 
write a letter to me 
And send it back 

in time to myself 
at seventeen 
First I'd prove 
it's me by saying 

Look under your bed 
There's a Skoal can 
and a Playboy 
no one else 

would know you hid 
And then I'd say 
I know it's tough 
When you break up 

after seven months 
And yeah, I know 
you really liked her 
and it just don't seem fair 

All I can say is pain 
like that is fast and 
it's rare... 
And oh, you got 

so much going for 
you, going right 
But I know at seventeen 
it's hard to see 

past Friday night 
She wasn't right for you 
And still you feel like 
there's a knife 

sticking out of your back 
And you're wondering 
if you'll survive 
You'll make it through 

this and you'll see 
You're still around 
to write this letter to me... 
At the stop sign 

at Tomlinson and Eighth 
Always stop completely 
don't just tap your breaks 
And when you get 

a date with Bridgett 
make sure the tank is full 
On second 
thought forget it 

That one turns 
out kinda cool 
Each and every time 
you have a fight 

Just assume you're wrong 
and dad is right 
And you should really 
thank miss Brinkman 

She spent so much 
extra time 
It's like she sees 
the diamond underneath 

And she's polishing 
you 'til you shine 
And oh, you got 
so much going for 

you, going right 
But I know at seventeen 
it's hard to see 
past Friday night 

Tonight's the bonfire rally 
but you're staying 
home instead 
Because if you fail algebra 

mom and dad 
will kill you dead 
Trust me you'll squeak 
by and get a C 

And you're still around 
to write this letter to me 
You've got 
so much up ahead 

And you'll make 
new friends 
You should see 
your kids and wife 

And I'd end by saying 
Have no fear 
These are nowhere 
near the best years 

of your life 
I guess I'll see 
you in the mirror 
When you're 

a grown man 
P S go hug Aunt Rita 
every chance you can... 
And oh, you got 

so much going for 
you, going right 
But I know at seventeen 
it's hard to see 

past Friday night 
I wish you'd 
study Spanish 
I wish you'd 

take a typing class 
I wish you wouldn't 
worry let it be 
Hey, I'd say 

Have a little faith 
and you'll see... 
If I could write a 
letter to me