Story Behind The Song
This is a look-around at our society and for all the sad and struggling vignettes we encounter...it's our reaction and subsequent response to what we see that will in the end define us. We can and should do better...
Song Description
Medium ballad tempo in 6/8. Starts with solo voice and keyboard and builds to a large finish.
| Song Length |
3:50 |
Genre |
Rock - General, Rock - Religious |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Poignant, Engaging |
Subject |
Teens, Life |
| Similar Artists |
Counting Crows, The Alan Parsons Project |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
CAN"T TURN BACK
There's a man on the street who's had little to eat
And barely a dime to his name
He gambled and lost at impossible cost
Any chances at fortune or fame
Well you find him on street corners, sleeping in alleys
In cities and towns 'cross this land
And when you see him do you turn to flee him
Or reach out to offer your hand?
There's a child down the block who's just learning to walk
And dreaming how one day he'll fly
With every new step well he's got no regret
On whatever direction he'll try
But then later in school he will break the wrong rule,
He'll stumble and finally drop out
And it's realistic he'll become a statistic unless
Someone can turn him around
Oh it's realistic he'll be a statistic; won't somebody turn him around
There are shelters in town where new mothers are found,
Young girls with babies their own.
And sadly apparent that boyfriends and parents
No longer welcome them home.
So what should we say when we're shown shades of gray
And we know what's black and what's white
Hardships and heartaches, missteps and mistakes
Injustices we can make right.
Hardships and heartaches, missteps and mistakes - injustices we should make right.
As we travel these roads let's all help with the loads
(that are) causing each other to fall
And when we get home, we'll kneel down at the throne
In answer to God's clarion call.
Well we might be surprised by the smile in His Eyes
As He tells us the things we got right
Forgiving our sins and recounting the wins
Of the souls brought from darkness to light
Forgiving our sins - recounting the wins
Of the souls that we brought to the light
So We Can't Turn Back No we Can't Turn Back
We're on the right track my friend Can't Turn Back
No We Can't Turn Back We Can't Turn Back
The simple fact my friend is Can't Turn Back
There's a man on the street who's had little to eat
And barely a dime to his name
He gambled and lost at impossible cost
Any chances at fortune or fame