[Verse 1] He’d wake me up before the sunrise, say, “Come on, son, let’s go,” Old tackle box in the bed of the truck, rolling down that country road. He’d talk about the weather like it mattered more than time, And every cast we threw was a lesson tucked between the lines. He wasn’t loud, he wasn’t harsh, he didn’t need to be— ‘Cause every quiet moment somehow stuck with me. ⸻ [Pre-Chorus] And he’d smile like he knew the world would hit me hard someday, But he trusted I’d stand tall in my own way. ⸻ [Chorus] He said, “Life ain’t perfect, and it ain’t supposed to be. You’ll stumble, son, but that don’t mean you’re weak. I’ll be here to catch you—but sometimes I’ll let you fall, ‘Cause learning to rise is the greatest strength of all.” He poured wisdom in my glass, just a slow sip of time— Yeah, those lessons hit deeper on the waterline. ⸻ [Verse 2] We’d laugh at jokes he cracked that nobody else would get, He’d tell old stories I’ve heard a thousand times, but I ain’t tired of them yet. He always pushed himself a little harder than the day before, Said, “A man ain’t finished growing till he can’t grow anymore.” He taught me how to try again when the world shut its doors— And how to treat folks right, even when they’re cutting you to the core. ⸻ [Pre-Chorus] He knew when I needed guidance and when to let me learn, He knew when to be my buddy and when to let the sternness burn. ⸻ [Chorus] He said, “Life ain’t perfect, and it ain’t supposed to be. You’ll stumble, son, but that don’t mean you’re weak. I’ll be here to catch you—but sometimes I’ll let you fall, ‘Cause learning to rise is the greatest strength of all.” He poured wisdom in my glass, just a slow sip of time— Yeah, those lessons hit deeper on the waterline. ⸻ [Bridge] Sometimes I think about the roads I’ve taken, The ones he warned me of, the ones I faced shaken. But he always said, “Son, don’t run from who you are— I raised you to handle broken pieces and still shine like a star.” And when I look in the mirror, I see the man he helped me be— Not perfect, not finished… just steady, and learning to be me. ⸻ [Final Chorus] He said, “Life ain’t perfect, and it ain’t supposed to be. You’ll stumble, son, but that don’t mean you’re weak. I’ll be here to catch you—but sometimes I’ll let you fall, ‘Cause learning to rise is the greatest strength of all.” Now I raise my glass to the one who steadied mine— Yeah, Dad, your love runs deeper Than the waterline.
