Tough or Die

Left my home when I was fourteen

Daddy went to Nashville chasing dreams

My brother was young, and my ma was high

Daddy said, "Son, you better get tough or die"

Left that oil town behind my back

Worked my guitar like a paperback

Saw the writing on the marquee sign

It said, "Son, you better get tough or die"

'Cause this world can be hard

On every boulevard

It takes grit to survive

So, get tough or die

When all you wanna do is sit and cry

Get tough or die

Because the streets get cold at night, oh

Oh-oh

I tell my son, "You be brave and strong

Work long days while the days are long

When you reach down and the wells bone-dry

Son, you better get tough or die"

'Cause this world can be hard

On every boulevard

It takes grit to survive

So, get tough or die

When all you wanna do is sit and cry

Get tough or die

Because the streets get cold at night

Get tough or die

And try to keep your head held high

Get tough or die