[Verse 1] I kissed her goodbye on the front porch rail, Mama’s voice trembled sayin’ “son, don’t fail.” Suitcase heavy with a six-string and doubt, Headin’ for the city I don’t know about. [Chorus] Is it family or fame, A small life or a name? Do I run with the devil, Or kneel down and pray? These big city dreams, They don’t shine the same, When I think about home… Family or fame. [Verse 2] Bars full of smoke, promises in the air, Men in sharp suits actin’ like they care. They’re sellin’ dreams that don’t come free, Each song I sing takes another piece of me. [Chorus] Is it family or fame, A small life or a name? Do I run with the devil, Or kneel down and pray? These big city dreams, They don’t shine the same, When I think about home… Family or fame. [Verse 3] Letters from home pile up in my case, Her words cut deeper than the smile on my face. I traded Sunday mornings for the devil’s place, Now I’m losin’ myself in bright-lit loneliness. [Bridge] Alone in a motel, Bible in my hand, Prayin’ for mercy I don’t understand. When the crowds fade, and the silence screams, What’s a man without love, when he can’t reach his dreams? [Final Chorus] Is it family or fame, A small life or a name? Do I run with the devil, Or kneel down and pray? These big city dreams, They don’t shine the same, When I think about home… Family or fame. [Outro (fading)] Family or fame… [fainter] family or fame… [whispered, breaking] family… or fame… [lonely harmonica fades into silence]
