She was thirty-something when she crossed the line
Between southern Virginia and North Carolina
She was running away from a broken heart
With two sleeping children in the back of the car

The man she had promised her whole life to
Had told her that he'd found somebody new
Part of her wished she could lay down and die
But the part in charge looked him straight in the eyes
instead
And that's when she said

Instead I've got three good reasons to survive.
One is eight years old and one will soon be turning five.
The third one is a woman who still has her pride
That makes three good reasons to survive.

She called some friends up in Rocky Mount
Who said they'd be glad to help her out
They put her and the children in the spare bedroom
She promised she'd find her own place soon.
And she thanked 'em for their help
And said softly to herself

Instead I've got three good reasons to survive.
One is eight years old and one will soon be turning five.
The third one is a woman who still has her pride
That makes three good reasons to survive.

Now she's made a brand new home
Her laughter's back, her tears are gone
If you ask what made her strong
She'll just smile and say

I had three good reasons to survive
One is eight years old and one has just turned five.
The third one is a woman who never lost her pride.
That makes three good reasons to survive.
Oh I had three good reasons to survive.