We grew up in a small town, apple orchard skies Dirt on our hands, dreams in our eyes You were older than me, miles ahead Every word you said lived in my head You were my hero, the one I chased Sassy as hell, fire in your face Didn’t take no shit, didn’t bend or break God, I wished I had what you had in you that way Pre-Chorus To me that spark was courage Strength I couldn’t fake Freedom in your backbone Everything I prayed for one day Chorus You were beautiful to me, wild and free Everything I wanted to be Headstrong heart, fearless soul You made rebellion look like control You were courage, you were truth Even when you were cruel Yeah, you were my hero Even when you were an asshole too Verse 2 And yeah, you were the biggest asshole to me Probably ‘cause I was the baby You tied me to my bike, handlebars tight Hooked it to the three-wheeler, took off full flight Gravel tore my skin, I was screaming your name You just laughed like it was some kind of game That shit hurt deep, I won’t lie But somehow I still wanted to be you inside Chorus You were beautiful to me, sharp and bold Never did what you were told You had that spark I never knew How to light inside me too You were courage, strength, and fire Even when you crossed the line Yeah, you were my hero Even when you were an asshole mine Verse 3 Remember Vegas, those gray damn boots I was gonna buy ‘em — you beat me to it, truth You put ‘em on a shelf in your closet space I waited a year, thought time might change Then one day you threw ‘em in the trash I grabbed ‘em like the past could last You snatched ‘em back, said, “They’re still mine” Back on that shelf — frozen in time I’ve thought about those boots for forty years Funny how small things hold big tears Bridge I’m still stuck in a cage I built from fear Still swallowing words I never say out loud here You walked free, you spoke your mind I stayed quiet, fell behind But I watched you show me what living looks like Even when loving you felt like a fight Final Chorus You were beautiful to me, flawed and real Sharp-edged love I still feel You were courage, you were flame You never played life safe You may be an asshole, yeah it’s true But you’re still my hero through and through My big sister, my North Star You showed me who I am Outro So thank you for being my hero Even when it hurt Thank you for being fearless When I was scared to speak first I still look up to you After all we’ve been through
