Well, you know you're gonna have to steal it If you want your cake and eat it, too There is no one less believin' Than the guy who's been deceiving you You got to pay the piper In the end you will be so much wiser Got to use your best endeavor When you're kissing to be clever 'Cause it's a hard, hard lesson That you're gonna learn On the river of no return You been burnin' all your bridges Like a child with forty wishes On the river of no return Well, you got your finger On the trigger It would help if you was-a bigger Now, it's not easy, I know, it's not easy 'Cause it's a hard, hard lesson That you're gonna learn On the river of no return Yes, you have done your share of cheatin' Now you're gonna have to take a beatin' You been acting like a s**er Now, you're gonna have to suffer, yeah 'Cause it's a hard, hard lesson That you're gonna learn On the river of no return Say, say, say It's a hard, hard, lesson That you're gonna learn On the river of no return It's a one way to go It's on and on you go On the river of no return Say it again! It's a hard, hard lesson That you're gonna learn On the river of no return Got swept out in the tide With no one on your side On the river of no return