Man I called dad

Sun comes up, you’re already gone,

Boots on the ground, workin’ ‘til it’s done.

Never heard you complain, never saw you fall,

You just stood tall through it all.

Boots on the porch, sunrise calls,

You were up before the rooster ever thought to talk.

Built this life with sweat and steel,

Taught me how to grind, taught me how to heal.

Said, “Boy, respect is earned, not bought,

And a man ain't nothin’ without his word and his heart.”

Now I see what you meant back then,

And I thank the Lord for the time we spent.

You’re the man I call dad, the rock I stand on,

The reason I know where I belong.

Through the highs, through the lows,

You're the roots that helped me grow.

I thank the Lord for the time we had,

For the man I call dad.

Backroad lessons, wheel in my hands,

Said, “Son, control the ride, but don’t force the plan.”

Taught me faith, taught me grace,

Taught me how to keep a strong handshake.

Didn’t have much, but we had enough,

You showed me love, you showed me tough.

Now I see your face in the mirror sometimes,

And I hope I’m half the man in your eyes.

You’re the man I call dad, the rock I stand on,

The reason I know where I belong.

Through the highs, through the lows,

You're the roots that helped me grow.

I thank the Lord for the time we had,

For the man I call dad.

Yeah, you showed me how to ride, how to stand my ground,

How to shake a man’s hand, how to hold it down.

Taught me love ain’t weak, bein’ strong ain’t loud,

And respect ain't just somethin’ you hand around.

Now I’m raisin’ my own, hopin’ I do it right,

Passin’ down your words every day, every night.

Built me up, gave me all you had,

And I’m proud to be the son of the man I call dad.

Years go by, but your voice stays clear,

Still hear your words when life ain't fair.

"Son, just stand, don’t ever run,

Be the kind of man you'd be proud of."

One day when you’re gone, I’ll still hear your voice,

In the wind, in the work, in my own boy’s choice.

Ain’t about the name, ain't about the past,

It’s about the love that’s built to last.