We used to chase that boy home from school
 We called him freckle faced red headed fool
 He was different, he wasn't cool like me
 Sticks and stones didn't break any bones
 But we never left well enough alone
 One day he ran away from home you see
 And I passed him as he walked away
 And in his eyes I heard him say

 One of these days you're gonna love me
 You'll sit down by yourself and think
 Of all the times you pushed and shoved me
 And what good friends we might have been
 And then you're gonna sigh a little
 And maybe even cry a little
 But one of these days you're gonna love me

 Patty Sue was a small town beauty
 I took one look at her and had to pull her to me
 Lord knows she should have seen right through me
 When I promised her the world
 But at 17 you only want one thing
 I left her standing with my high school ring
 Innocent tears in a pourin' rain
 As I walked away
 And I still see her in my dreams
 And to this day she's whispering

 One of these days you're gonna love me
 You'll sit down by yourself and think
 About the time you turned from me
 And what good friends we might have been
 And then you're gonna sigh a little
 And maybe even cry a little
 But one of these days, you're gonna love me

 Now everybody stands up
 The congregation sings
 It's a song of sweet forgiveness
 And as the [bad word] rings
 The wind blows clear my memory
 The pages start to turn
 And suddenly I'm singing
 The moment that I learn

 One of these days I'm gonna love me
 And feel the joy of sweet release
 One of these days I'll rise above me
 And at last I'll find some peace
 And then I'm gonna smile a little
 And maybe even laugh a little
 But one of these days...
 I'm gonna love me