Something to Be Proud Of

There's a story that my daddy tells religiously Like clockwork every time he see's an opening In a conversation, 'bout the way things used to be I just roll my eyes and make a b-line for the door But I'd always end up starry eyed and cross legged on the floor Hanging onto 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 Flying 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 something to be proud of That's a life you can hang your hat on As your chins held high as the tears fall down Gut sucked in, chest stuck out Like a small town flag a flying Or a new born baby crying In the arms of the woman that you love That's something to be proud of Son graduating college, that was momma's dream And I was on my way to anywhere else when I turned eighteen 'Cause when you got a fast car, and think you got everything I learned real quick those GTO's don't run off faith I ended up broken down in some town north of L.A. Working maximum hours, for minimum wage Well, 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 save gas in them foreign jobs Dad, I wonder if I ever let you down 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 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 working If you're doing what you're able Putting food there on the table And 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 Well, you did it man That's something to be proud of That's a life you can hang your hat on As your chins held high as the tears fall down Gut sucked in, chest stuck out Like a small town flag a flying Or a new born baby crying In the arms of the 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