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 Living all together In a house built With his own hands Little words with love And understanding 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 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 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 Raised on the ways And gentle kindness Of a small town Southern man 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