I've heard all the stories of you back in your prime

How you held all your pride in hands stained

And you'd go to work for a breadcrumbs and dirt

So your kids could stand tall in their name

And you'd told me: Son, they're things to be done

When you're older and stronger like me

You give all you have just to be a good dad

And you'll die a thousand times just to please

An old man, the blood that you bled

And the mouths that you fed at your door

An old man, the sweat that you pour

Proves that they don't make 'em like you no more

An old man, the dinners you missed

So your daughters could eat at this table

An old man, I would give back

All the things that you've lacked if I's able

I've never seen you smile like you did out in Pineville

When the crowd screamed the words of your kid

And you told me: Boy, it's been a long hard road

In this life that I've chose for my kin

And I wish and I pray I could go back in time

So I could raise up this family again

An old man, the blood that you bled

And the mouths that you fed at your door

An old man, the sweat that you pour

Proves that they don't make 'em like you no more

An old man, the dinners you missed

So your daughters could eat at this table

An old man, I would give back

All the things that you've lacked if I's able

I've heard all the stories of you back in your prime

How you held all your pride in hands stained