Story Behind The Song

Christian grew up on a small ranch in Oklahoma and came to me with several memories of what life was like. We took the images and blended them into a tribute to our dads.

Song Description

Thinking about growing up and how our father's taught us a lot about life

Lyrics

What Makes A Man

G D C Am D
(G) He worked us hard growing up (Em) but we still had it good
(C) My dad was a man and He'd tan our hide
(Am) Just to prove that he still could (D)

(G) He never settled for "good enough"
(Em) "C'mon, do a little more"
(C) We would work till after dark
(Am) Just to finish every chore (D)

(Am) Now I'm not complainin'
(Bm) I wouldn't have it any other way
(C) I can still hear his voice
(D) When he'd look up and say

(G)You do your best, you give your all
(D)You show love and respect
(C) When you see someone in need, do all you can (D)
(G)Look out for your family
(D)Start and end each day down on your knees
(C) Be thankful for what comes from the Father's (D) hand
(Am) Look people (Bm) in the eye and keep your word (C)
(Am) Listen to me son
(D) That's what makes a (G) man

(verse 2)
(G) My brother and I grew up we've got (Em) families of our own
(C) Dad still works most every day
(Am) It's all he's ever (D) known

(G) He was tough but he showed us love (Em) he was always kind
(C) He earned our trust by being true
(Am) He didn't know how to tell a lie (D)

(Am) He may not have finished school
He wouldn't (Bm) have it any other way
(C) Sometimes when I close my eyes
(D) I can still hear him say

(G) You do your best, you give your all
You show (D) love and respect
When you (C) see someone in need, do all you can (D)
(G)Look out for your family
Start and (D) end each day down on your knees
Be (C) thankful for what comes from the Father's (D) hand
(Am) You gotta open doors (Bm) and pull out chairs (C)
Are you (Am) listening to me son
(D) That's what makes a (G) man

(Am) I know life's not perfect
When your (Bm) world seems to fall apart
(C) Dad would say it's gonna be okay
Son, just (D) follow your heart

(G)You do your best, you give your all
(D)You show love and respect
(C) When you see someone in need, do all you can (D)
(G)Look out for your family
(D)Start and end each day down on your knees
(C) Be thankful for what comes from the Father's (D) hand
(Am) Look people in the (Bm) eye and keep your word (C)
(Am) Listen to me son
(D) That's what makes a (G) man
(Am) Listen to me son
(D) That's what makes a (G) man

Copyright 2012, Christian Strawn/Paul Cook (ASCAP)
Turtle on a Fencepost Publishing