Something To Be Proud Of

There's a story that his daddy tells religiously
Like clockwork every time he sees an opening
In a conversation about the way things used to be
Well he'd just roll his eyes and make a bee-line for the door
But he'd always wind up starry-eyed, cross-legged on the floor
Hanging on to every word
Man, the things he heard

It was harder times and longer days
Five miles to school, uphill both ways
they were cane switch raised, and dirt floor poor
'Course that was back before the war
Yeah, his uncle and him made quite a pair
Flying F-15's through hostile air
He went down but they missed the son 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 the tears fall 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 something to be proud of

So he's graduatin' college, that was mama's dream
But he was on his way to anywhere else when he turned 18
Cuz when you gotta fast car you think you've got everything
He learned quick those GTO's don't run on faith
He ended up broken down in some town north of L.A.
Working maximum hours for minimum wage
Well, he fell in love, next thing he'd know
The babies came, the car got slow
he sure will miss that old hot rod
But you sure save gas in them foreign jobs
Dad, he wonders if he ever let you down
If you're ashamed how he turned out
Well, he lowered his voice, then he raised his brow
Said, lemme tell ya 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 doing what you're able
And 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