Something To Be Proud Of

There's a story that my daddy tells religiously
Like clockwork everytime he see's an opening
In a conversation 'bout the way things use to be
I just roll my eyes and make a B-line for the door
I'd always end up starry eyes and cross legged on the floor
Hangin 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 switched raised and dirt floor poor
Course that was back before the war
Yeah your uncle and I made quit a pair
Flyin 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 flyin'
Or a new born baby cryin'
In the arms of the woman that you love
That's something to be proud of

Son graduatin' college, that was mommas dream
And I was on my way to anywhere else when I turned eighteen
That's when I got a fast car and think you got everything
I learned real quick those GTO's don't run on faith
I ended up broke down in some town north of L.A
Working maximum hours for minimum wage

I fell in love next thing I know
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
No need to make a million just be thankful to be workin'
If you're doin' what you're able
Puttin' food there on the table
And providing for the family that you love
That's something to be proud of

And before 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 chin held high as the tears fall down
Gut sucked in, chest stuck out
Like a small town flag a flyin'
Or a new born baby cryin'
In the arms of the woman that you love
That's something to be proud of

That's something to be proud of
That's something to be proud of
That's something to be proud of
Now it's something to be proud of