You can''t really know unless you''ve gone where he''s been
I can give you all the details, but you''d never understand
What it means to let that go; slip right through your hands

I guess you had to be there when she smiled
Or had to feel the passion running wild
Really know the woman and the child
I guess you had to be there

''Til she stripped the layers off, seen into your soul
Watched her make a diamond of a worthless piece of coal
''Til you''ve held an angel, then let her fly away
You won''t ever understand, no matter what I say

I guess you had to be there when she smiled
Or had to feel the passion running wild
Really know the woman and the child
I guess you had to be there

I guess you had to be there when she smiled
Or had to feel the passion running wild
Really know the woman and the child
I guess you had to be there

I guess you had to be there when she smiled
Or had to feel the passion running wild
''Til you walked in my shoes for a while,
I guess you had to be there
I guess you had to be there
I guess you had to be there