There's a story that my daddy tells religiously Like clockwork every time he sees an opening
In a conversation, not the way things used to be
Well, I'd just roll my eyes and make a beeline for the door
But I'd always end up starry, I'd cross-legged on the floor
Hangin' on to every word, man, the things I heard
It was harder times and longer days Five miles to school, uphill both ways
We were cane-switched, raised, and dirt-floor poor Of course, that was back before the war
Yeah, your uncle and I made quite a pair Flyin' F-15s through hostile air
He went down, but they missed me by a hair He'd always stop right there and say
That's something to be proud of That's a life you can hang your hat on
That's a chin held high as a tear falls down A gut sucked in, a chest stuck out
Like a small-town flag a-flyin' Or a newborn baby cryin'
In the arms of a woman that you love That's something to be proud of
My son graduated college, that was Mama's dream
I was on my way to anywhere else when I turned eighteen
When you got a fast car, you think you got everything
I learned quick those GTOs don't run on faith
I ended up broken down in some town north of L.A.
Workin' maximum hours for minimum wage
I fell in love next thing I know
The babies came and the car got sold
Sure do miss that old hot rod, but you sure say gas in them foreign jobs
Dad, I wonder if I ever let you down or if you're ashamed
I turned back, well, he lowered his voice and he raised his brow
He said, let me tell you right now
That's something to be proud of That's a life you can hang your hat on
You don't need to make a million Just be thankful to be workin'
If you're doin' what you're able Put food there on the table
Providing for the family that you love That's something to be proud of
And if all you ever really do is the best you can
You did it, man
That's something to be proud of That's a life you can hang your hat on
That's a chin held high as tear falls down A gut sucked in, a chest stuck out
Like a small town flag a-flyin' Or a newborn baby cryin'
In the arms of a woman that you love That's something to be proud of
That's something to be proud of Now, that's something to be proud of
That's something to be proud of Now, that's something to be proud of
Now, that's something to be proud of Now, that's something to be proud of