There's a story
that my Daddy tells
religiously
Like clockwork
Every time he sees
an opening
in a conversation
About 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-eyed
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-switch raised
and dirt floor poor
'Course that was back
before the war
Yeah your Uncle and I
made quite a pair
flyin' F -15's
through hostile air
He went down
But they missed me by a hair
He'd always stop right there
and say
That's somethin'
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 the woman
that you love
That's somethin'
to be proud of
Son graduatin' college
That was momma's dream
But I was on my way
to anywhere else
when I turned eighteen
'Cause when you got
a fast car
You think you got
everything
I learned quick those GTO's
don't run on faith
And I ended up broken down
in some town north of LA
Workin' maximum hours
for minimum wage
Well I fell in love
The next thing I know
The babies came
And the car got sold
I sure do miss
that old hot rod
But you sure save gas
in them foreign jobs
Dad I wonder if I ever
let you down
Or if you're ashamed
how I turned out
Well he lowered his voice
Then he raised his brow
Said
Let me tell you right now
That's somethin'
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
You put food there
on the table
And providing for the family
that you love
That's somethin'
to be proud of
And if all you ever
really do
is the best you can
Well you did it man
That's somethin'
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 the woman
that you love
That's somethin'
to be proud of
Yeah that's somethin'
to be proud of
Now that's somethin'
to be proud of