[Intro — Raw Harmonica, Banjo and Stomping Kick] Yeah… This one’s for the ones still holdin’ the line. [Verse 1] Daddy wore the leather off a Bible and a belt, Taught me pride ain’t somethin’ talked about—it’s somethin’ felt. Mama kept the porch light burnin’, supper on the stove, Made a little house a kingdom down a two-lane road. We were raised on “yes, sir,” Sunday mornin’ grace, Calloused hands, honest work, and lookin’ folks straight in the face. We didn’t have much money, but we knew wrong from right— You love your God, you love your blood, and you never fear a fight. [Instrumental Turn — Harmonica Answers the Fiddle] [Verse 2] There’s grease beneath my fingernails and red dirt on my boots, Every scar upon this country runs down through my roots. My brother wears a uniform, my granddad rests beneath A weathered stone that bears the flag he fought for us to keep. We ain’t perfect, we get knocked down, we’ve stumbled through the years, But these colors never faded through the blood, the sweat, and tears. When the darkness starts to gather and the wolves come to the door, You’ll find us shoulder-to-shoulder like a thousand times before. [Pre-Chorus — Drums Build Hard] We bend our knees when we pray, Stand like stone when trouble comes our way. [Chorus — Bigger] We raise ’em right, we raise ’em strong, Teach ’em where they came from and what side they’re on. With a Bible on the table and Old Glory flyin’ high, We thank the Lord for freedom every mornin’ that we rise. We work all day, then we burn all night, With a banjo ringin’ and a fiddle sawin’ fire. From the mountains to the wheat fields, let the whole world hear us sing— God, family, country—still means everything! [Post-Chorus — Half-Time Stomp] Still means everything! Yeah, it still means everything! [Verse 3 — Sparse, Gritty Vocal] I don’t need a politician tellin’ me what makes me free, It’s the cross above the doorway and my children next to me. It’s the right to speak my own mind, earn my pay, and own my name, It’s salutin’ those who gave it all without demandin’ fame. So pour another whiskey, slide the longneck down the bar, Let that beat-up old harmonica remind us who we are. We’ll keep the home fires burnin’ underneath these southern stars— You can hear the heart of America poundin’ in these bars! [Breakdown — Banjo, Floor Toms and Handclaps] One nation—under God! One family—standing strong! One flag—raised up high! We’re still here—and we ain’t gone! [Instrumental Explosion — Fast Fiddle and Harmonica Duel] [Final Chorus — Maximum Energy] We raise ’em right, we raise ’em strong, Teach ’em where they came from and what side they’re on. With a Bible on the table and Old Glory flyin’ high, We thank the Lord for freedom every mornin’ that we rise. We work all day, then we burn all night, With a banjo ringin’ and a fiddle sawin’ fire. From the mountains to the wheat fields, let the whole world hear us sing— God, family, country—still means everything! [Final Chorus Extension] Yeah, raise ’em brave, raise ’em proud, Raise ’em unafraid to say those sacred words out loud. Let the church bells shake the valley, let that freedom eagle scream— God, family, country—still means everything! [Outro — Harmonica Over Heavy Stomps] Bow your head… Stand your ground… Raise ’em right. [Final Fiddle Strike — Dead Stop]
