I had dreams that were bigger than the Montana sky
   And we were gonna do great in Great Falls
   I just knew we were this time
   But when winter finally broke, so were we
   You'll never know how bad that hurt
   'Cause this ain't what I meant
   When I promised you the world
   I lost the farm in Kansas
   Along with a lot of pride
   Then I almost lost my life
   Down in that West Virginia mine
   And that motel room in Memphis
   Was a long way from diamonds and pearls
   And that sure ain't what I meant
   When I promised you the world
  
   I swear your love is stronger
   Than any dream of mine I've ever drug you through
   And I swear I wasn't lyin'
   They just never did come true
   You've always bet on this old gambler
   Every time I gave the wheel a whirl
   But this ain't what I meant
   When I promised you the world
  
   Now this Shreveport sun is settin'
   On another broken dream of mine
   And I guess that mansion on the hill
   Is pretty hard to see tonight
   But as long as there's a breath of life in me
   I'm gonna get it for you, girl
   'Cause this ain't what I meant
   When I promised you the world
  
   I swear your love is stronger
   Than any dream of mine I've ever drug you through
   And I swear I wasn't lyin'
   They just never did come true
   You've always bet on this old gambler
   Every time I gave the wheel a whirl
   But this ain't what I meant
   When I promised you the world
  
   No, this sure ain't what I meant
   When I promised you the world