[Verse 1] When we go six feet under, They won’t talk about our fame, Or the clever things we wrote down, Or the posts that caught a flame. They won’t count the late nights, Or the trophies on the wall, Not the whiskey-fueled mistakes, Or the times we stood up tall. [Pre-Chorus] It all fades into the background, Like dust out in the wind— [Chorus] No star shines brighter Than the smile on their face, No dream runs deeper Than a child feeling safe. I pray every night I give ‘em what they need, From toy trucks in the backyard To the man they’re gonna be. [Verse 2] Will they learn the lessons That it took me years to find? Will they paint me as the villain When I have to draw the line? There’s a picture on the wall That they drew when they were small, Just stick figures and a sunset— But it says it all. [Pre-Chorus] Time don’t slow for no one, It just pushes you along— [Chorus] No star shines brighter Than the smile on their face, No love runs stronger Than a father’s quiet weight. I pray every night I don’t lead ‘em wrong, From scraped knees in the driveway To standing on their own. [Bridge] Teach ‘em how to throw a fastball, And when to throw a punch, How to speak with a backbone, But don’t say too much. Every day I question If I’m getting it right, Try to raise a good man Who won’t run from a fight. I work hard for the money, Not for things I can buy, But to give ‘em what I was given— And not let that standard die. [Breakdown] Some lessons I’ll miss, Some I won’t get to say, They’ll learn the hard way Just like I did someday… [Final Chorus] So I tell ‘em that I love ‘em, Even when I’m worn thin, Even when the whole damn world Feels like it’s caving in. They won’t understand it now— Not until they’re men, That the hardest part of fatherhood Ain’t where your heart has been— It’s loving when they fight you, When they’re standing their own ground, And you’re burning up with anger… But you don’t let ‘em down. [Outro] Yeah, it’s walking out that door Knowing you gave everything… And still wondering If it was enough.
