Something To Be Proud Of (Made Popular By Montgomery Gentry) [Vocal Version]

There's a story that my daddy tells religiously
Like clockwork every time he sees an opening
In a conversation 'bout the way things used to be

I'd just roll my eyes and make a beeline for the door
But I'd always end up starry-eyed, 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-15s 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
That's a chin held high as a tear falls down
A gut sucked in, a chest stuck out
Like a small town flag a-flying
Or a newborn baby crying
In the arms of a woman that you love
That's something to be proud of"

"Son, graduating college, that was mama's dream
But I was on my way to anywhere else when I turned eighteen
'Cause when you got a fast car, you think you got everything"

I learned quick those GTOs don't run on faith
And I ended up broken down in some town north of LA
Working maximum hours for minimum wage

I fell in love, next thing I know
The babies came, 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
Or 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
To put 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
You did it, man"

"That's something to be proud of
That's a life you can hang your hat on
That's a chin held high as a tear falls down
A gut sucked in, a chest stuck out
Like a small town flag a-flying
Or a newborn baby crying
In the arms of a woman that you love
That's something to be proud of"

"That's something to be proud of"
Yeah, that's something to be proud of
"That's something to be proud of"
Now that's something to be proud of