-- OR -- 
Born the middle son of a farmer and a small town Southern man
Like his daddy's daddy before him brought up workin' on the land
Fell in love with a small town woman and they married up and settled down
Natural way of life if you're lucky for a small town Southern man
First there came four pretty daughters for this small town Southern man
Then a few years later came another a boy ... he wasn't planned
Seven people livin' all together in a house built with his own hands
Little words with love and understandin from a small town Southern man
And he ... bowed his head to Jesus and he ... stood for Uncle Sam
And he ... only loved one woman ... he was always ... proud of what he had
He said his ... greatest contribution is the ones he'll leave behind
Raised on the ways and gentle kindness of a small town Southern man
Callous hands told the story for this small town Southern man
He gave it all to keep it all together and keep his family on his land
Like his daddy, years wore out his body made it hard just to walk and stand
You can ... break the back but you can't break the spirit of a small town Southern man
And he ... bowed his head to Jesus and he ... stood for Uncle Sam
And he ... only loved one woman ... he was always ... proud of what he had
He said his ... greatest contribution is the ones you leave behind
Raised on the ways and gentle kindness of a small town Southern man
BREAK
Finally death came callin' for this small town Southern man
He said it's alright 'cause I see angels and they got me by the hand
Don't you cry, and don't you worry ... I'm blessed, and I know I am
'Cause God has a place in Heaven For a small town Southern man
And he ... bowed his head to Jesus and he ... stood for Uncle Sam
And he ... only loved one woman ... he was always ... proud of what he had
He said his ... greatest contribution is the ones you leave behind
Raised on the ways and gentle kindness of a small town Southern man
Raised on the ways and gentle kindness of a small town Southern man