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