My Dad

(album: The Farmer - 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 growing 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 simple 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 something 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 signing his name
The first thing I remember learning 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 and 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 did in 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 wearing 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