Southern Boy (Still Me)

Mama said grace ‘fore supper last night,

Said, “God loves truth and what’s done right.”

I bowed my head but bit my tongue,

Prayin’ one day I won’t have to run.

Daddy don’t know, but I think he sees,

The way my eyes linger a little too deep,

At the boy who plays guitar in town,

Lord, I hope he don’t find out.

I’m a southern boy, boots in the clay,

Got a heart that don’t fit the way they say,

Still love Friday lights, still love sweet tea,

Still say “yes, ma’am,” still believe.

I ain’t broken, I ain’t lost,

I’m just me beneath this cross,

The world can judge, but I’m still free —

Just a southern boy, and I’m still me.

Stars shine bright on a backroad kiss,

Every fear fades in a night like this,

It’s a small-town secret, a tender sin,

But my heart don’t know how not to win.

We hide our laughs, we park out far,

Under cover of that old pine yard,

I wish I could hold his hand downtown,

Without the whispers circlin’ ‘round.

I’m a southern boy, boots in the clay,

Got a heart that don’t fit the way they say,

Still love Friday lights, still love sweet tea,

Still say “yes, sir,” still believe.

I ain’t shamed of who I love,

It’s written in the skies above,

The world can talk, but I’ll stay free —

Just a southern boy, and I’m still me.

Maybe one day this town will change,

Stop sayin’ love should look one way,

Till then I’ll sing it proud and loud,

For every boy still scared right now.

I’m a southern boy, boots in the clay,

And my heart beats wild, come what may,

Still love my folks, still love these streets,

Still thank God for watchin’ me.

I ain’t broken, I ain’t wrong,

I’ve been this way all along,

You can’t take that truth from me —

I’m a southern boy, and I’m still me.

Yeah, I’m still me…

Just a southern boy, finally free.