*Verse 1* I was just a boy back then, With the whole world up ahead, Trying to figure out what it meant To be the man they said. I watched my grandpa's weathered hands, I listened when he spoke, There was something in the way he lived That taught me more than words. Then there was my daddy, Standing tall in front of me, Showing me the kind of man I hoped that I could be. And all those men around me Who took the time to care, I wanted them to see the best in me, I wanted to make them proud. *Chorus* **I wanted to make them proud, Wanted to make them smile. Wanted them to look at me And say, “Son, you've done alright.” I wanted to make them happy, Wanted them to know That every lesson they had given me Had somewhere good to go. I didn't want to disappoint them. I didn't want to let them down. So I carried what they taught me Everywhere I went around. And now I understand What they were trying to show— A boy becomes a man By the men who help him grow.** *Verse 2* Grandpa taught me dignity, Dad taught me how to stand. The others taught me different things About becoming a man. Some taught me about courage, Some taught me how to fight, Some showed me that doing what is right Is worth more than being right. I thought they were just watching me. I didn't know they saw The man that I could someday be Behind the little boy. And every time I stumbled, Every time I got it wrong, I could almost hear them telling me, “Get back up and carry on.” *Chorus* **I wanted to make them proud, Wanted to make them smile. Wanted them to look at me And say, “Son, you've done alright.” I wanted to make them happy, Wanted them to know That every lesson they had given me Had somewhere good to go. I didn't want to disappoint them. I didn't want to let them down. So I carried what they taught me Everywhere I went around. And now I understand What they were trying to show— A boy becomes a man By the men who help him grow.** *Bridge* Now some of those old voices Are quieter than they were. Some of those familiar faces Are memories I hold dear. And sometimes I still wonder If they're looking down somehow, If they could see the man I've become, Would they still be proud? I hope they'd see their lessons In the way I live today. I hope they'd see their fingerprints On every choice I make. And if I could sit beside them Just one more time somehow, I'd tell them what I couldn't say then: **“Thank you for showing me how.”** *Final Chorus* **I still want to make them proud, Still want to make them smile. Still want to be the kind of man They'd recognize after all this while. I still don't want to disappoint them. I still don't want to let them down. Because the boy who watched them growing Is still somewhere inside me now. And every road I've traveled, Every mountain I've climbed, Has a little piece of every man Who invested in my life. So Grandpa, Dad, and all you men Who helped me find my way— If you could see me standing here, I hope you'd smile today. Because everything you gave me Didn't disappear somehow. **You helped make me who I am. And I'm still trying to make you proud.** *Outro* I was just a boy who wanted To hear somebody say, **“Son, you did good. You made us proud today.”**
