Did The Best I Knew How

[Verse 1] You were barely six years old With a ball cap way too large Said “Daddy I’ll be big someday Be the one in charge” I was learnin’ as I went Didn’t always get it right Tryin’ to play both parts To be your steady light [Verse 2] There were nights we didn’t talk Said I didn’t understand You thought I was too tough on you Said I was a stubborn man But every rule and every “no” Came from somewhere deep I was tryin’ to build a strong backbone That one day you’d get to keep [Chorus] I did the best I knew how With the tools I had back then Tried to teach you when you fall How to stand back up again Own your wrongs, say what you mean Don’t blame ‘em on the crowd Treat every soul with respect Even when it ain’t allowed We didn’t always see eye to eye Lord, sure we had our doubts But if there’s one thing I got right I did the best I knew how [Verse 3] I watched you grow every day And take the hard way through You said you’d find your own way And take the path you choose Now I see you hold your ground And try to do what’s right I see a piece of you-know-who Behind your determined eyes [Pre-Chorus] Funny how the years go by Turns out all those lines I drew Built a man I’m proud to call my son Proud to see myself in you [Chorus] I did the best I knew how With the tools I had back then Tried to teach you when you fall How to stand back up again Own your wrongs, say what you mean Don’t blame ‘em on the crowd Treat every soul with respect Even when it ain’t allowed We didn’t always see eye to eye Lord, sure we had our doubts But if there’s one thing I got right I did the best I knew how [Bridge] Now we laugh about the old days We talk through things instead I hope that when you feel unsure You remember what I’ve said You’ve got your own dreams to make But you can call me for advice It’s okay to make mistakes I’ll always stand by your side [Chorus] I did the best I knew how Through every doubt and fear Tried to be the kind of dad You’d be proud to have right here The fights we both outgrew Built somethin’ strong in you And seein’ who you’ve become There’s nothin’ that I’d undo Yeah, watchin’ you become that man I hope you know somehow If there’s one thing that I got right I did the best I knew how [Outro] Yeah, we didn’t always see eye to eye But I’ll always stand by your side If there’s one thing that I got right I did the best I knew how