You want to grow up to paint houses like me, a trailer in
my yard till you're 23
You want to be old after 42 years, keep dropping the hammer
and grinding the gears
Well, I used to go out in a Mustang, a 302 Mach One in
green
Me and your Mama made you in the back and I sold it to buy
her a ring
And I learned not to say much of nothing and I figured you
already know
but in case you don’t or maybe forgot, I’ll lay it out real
nice and slow
Don’t call what your wearing an outfit. Don’t ever say your
car is broke
Don’t worry about losing your accent, a Southern Man tells
better jokes
Have fun but stay clear of the needle. Call home on your
sister’s birthday
Don’t tell them you’re bigger than Jesus, don’t give it
away
Six months in a St. Florian foundry, they call it Industrial Park.
Then hospital maintenance and Tech School just to memorize Frigidaire parts.
But I got to missing your Mama and I got to missing you too.
So I went back to painting for my old man and I guess that’s what I’ll always do
So don’t try to change who you are boy, and don’t try to be who you ain’t.
And don’t let me catch you in Kendale with a bucket of wealthy-man’s paint.
Don’t call what your wearing an outfit. Don’t ever say your car is broke.
Don’t sing with a fake British accent. Don’t act like your family’s a joke.
Have fun, but stay clear of the needle, call home on your sister’s birthday.
Don’t tell them you’re bigger than Jesus, Don’t give it away.
Don’t give it away.