MY DAD
(Porter Wagoner)


Porter Wagoner - 1973




My daddy was a hard working farm man
With dirt on his hands most all his life
But inside my daddy's soul was as clean as white linen
And his heart was as pure as solid gold
Like most boys when I was growin' up
I wanted to be just like my dad
'Cause I felt that he had something
That very few people had


My daddy was just a smiple man
He lived all his life on a little farm where I was born
He never had an education he didn't get to go to school
But he was the smartest man that I've ever known
I believe God must have been my daddy's teacher
For he talked a lot with him 
And when dad found somethin' that he didn't understand 
He'd ask God about it just like you'd ask a friend
Honesty was a word that my dad lived by 
His word was his bond, it meant the same
That's why he could borrow money from the bank
Just by signin' his name 


The first thing I remember learnin' from dad 
Was the meaning of honesty
He said if you're honest, son
It means a whole lot more than you just won't lie or cheat
If you're honest you'll do unto others
Like you'd have them do unto you
And you'll always give more than just your share
In anything that you do
Honesty stands like a giant oak tree 
With roots strong and deep in the sod
And if you're always honest with yourself son
It covers many of the commandments of God


Pride was another word that my dad lived by
He took pride in each thing and one that he told me why
He said always take pride in each thing you do, boy 
No matter how small it may be
For God gave you the mind that you begin with
And take pride in each new thing that you see
And don't ever think that you're better than anyone
But always remember you're just as good as anybody son
And just because you're wearin' overalls with patches to cover each hole
Why it's not what's on the outside that makes a man boy
It's what's hidden deep in his soul
So always be honest and proud son in each thing that you do
And when you're in doubt about something ask God about it
'Cause he's always honest with you


(Contributed by  - October 2007)