[Verse 1]
Sixteen in the front seat of a hand me down Corolla
That was dark green with a roof leak and a hundred on the motor
Nothing's sweeter than the feeling of the wind in my hair
Didn't have a dime but I didn't care

[Verse 2]
Eighteen had my first drink at a college bar in Austin
Snuck in with an ID saying I was twenty-four in August
We were young but didn't know how we had nothing to lose
Always trying to be old but now I'm missing my youth
Now I'm sitting, reminiscing, thinking how I didn't know how good I had it
When I had it

[Chorus]
I wish I didn't wish it away
Wish the freedom that I had could've stayed
Wishing I could go back to the days
'Cause back in the day
We didn't know that we know what we know now
'Cause it ain't the same
Ain't it funny how much that you changed
Growing up ain't all that you think
But it couldn't wait
Oh yeah
I wish I didn't wish it away

[Verse 3]
Twenty-five and it seems like all my friends are getting married
Drinking red wine on a week night while they're all having babies
I don't have my shit together like I probably should
But maybe one day I'll look back and think that I had it good
It's hard to see it when you're in it
Wish I didn't

[Chorus]
I wish I didn't wish it away
Wish the freedom that I had could've stayed
Wishing I could go back to the days
'Cause back in the day
We didn't know that we know what we know now
'Cause it ain't the same
Ain't it funny how much that you changed
Growing up ain't all that you think
But it couldn't wait
Oh yeah
I wish I didn't wish it away

[Bridge]
I wish, I wish I didn't wish it away
I wish, I wish I didn't wish it away
I wish, I wish I didn't wish it away
I wish, I wish I didn't wish it away

[Chorus]
I wish I didn't wish it away
Wish the freedom that I had could've stayed
Wishing I could go back to the days
'Cause back in the day
We didn't know that we know what we know now
'Cause it ain't the same
Ain't it funny how much that you changed
Growing up ain't all that you think
But it couldn't wait
Oh yeah
I wish I didn't wish it away
I wish I didn't wish it away
I wish I didn't wish it away

[Outro]
Eighty-tree and I'm wishing that the hourglass move slower
Will daydream I'm being sixteen in a 96 Toyota