[Verse 1]
Coffee in a travel cup
Tied that tie in the dark again
Kissed her cheek
Checked on the kids
Whispered
"I'll be back
My friends"
Red brake lights in a long slow line
Same old road
Same old grind
Name tag on and his head held high
Thinking 'bout their faces the whole drive
[Chorus]
He’s a clocked-in hero
Punching that card like a promise made
Giving his all in a neon name tag
So they’ve got more than bills paid
Yeah
He goes above and beyond
So they never feel the strain
He ain’t working for the man
He’s working for his last name
[Verse 2]
Boss calls late
“Can you stay?”
He says
“Sure
” though it cuts him deep
Missed that game under Friday lights
Watches highlights on a cracked small screen
He’ll paint that room when his eyes don’t burn
Fix that leak when the weekend turns
Every overtime
Every scar on his hands
Is a love note they don’t have to understand
[Chorus]
He’s a clocked-in hero
Punching that card like a promise made
Giving his all in a neon name tag
So they’ve got more than bills paid
Yeah
He goes above and beyond
So they never feel the strain
He ain’t working for the man
He’s working for his last name
[Bridge]
One day those kids will see
How hard love can swing a hammer
They’ll wear his old worn jacket proud
Say
“Nobody did it better” (oh yeah)
[Chorus]
He’s a clocked-in hero
Punching that card like a promise made
Giving his all in a neon name tag
So they’ve got more than bills paid
Yeah
He goes above and beyond
So they never feel the strain
He ain’t working for the man
He’s working for his last name