Welding Burns

My father was a welder Down at the navy yard Up on the North Atlantic Where the winters come down hard A union job, some overtime Nobody would complain He went to work with humble pride Through the snow and rain Some things you're born to Some things you gotta learn My father built his world on bone, muscle and blood And welding burns After work he did some drinking He'd get a little rough Just to take the edges off But he never got enough He'd hang his coat up by the door And light a cigarette Mama'd take his supper out Turn off the TV set Some things you're born to Some things you gotta learn My father built his world on bone, muscle and blood And welding burns I can see 'em down at Leigh's Mills Pond With the August sun warming her brown skin He promised he'd take her away But I think he knew, even way back then Way back then Mama said, "They're hiring, no need to graduate Maybe your dad could make a call to the 788" I always thought I'd get away I thought I could rise above I don't remember anymore What I was dreaming of Some things you're born to Some things you'd better learn My father was born bone, muscle and blood And welding burns Some things you're born to Some things you gotta learn My father built his world on bone, muscle and blood And welding burns