[Verse 1]
I can still remember the taste of Ivory soap
After sayin' my first cuss word at four years old
How that lather belt felt every time I disobeyed
Or came home late
Eatin' Sunday dinner after church
It was a day of rest, nobody worked
Treated everyone like you wanted them to treat you
Live by the Golden Rule

[Chorus]
Sometimes I pray to go back to those simpler days
When roots ran deep, family meant everything
Helpin' out your neighbor was understood
When you shook somebody's hand it was your word
Now it seems somehow that all those things have been misplaced
Thank God I didn't just grow up, I was raised

[Verse 2]
You only got to play when your chores were done
21 speed bike and a BB gun
Stop and shoot at every single street sign we rolled by
On Stone Peebles Drive
Showed respect with your actions and your words
Like holdin' the door, sayin' "yes ma'am" and "yes sir"
Givin' up your seat so that a lady could sit down
Yeah, we did in my hometown
[Chorus]
Sometimes I pray to go back to those simpler days
When roots ran deep, family meant everything
Helpin' out your neighbor was understood
When you shook somebody's hand it was your word
Now it seems somehow that all those things have been misplaced

[Bridge]
I remember every word they'd say
Like workin' hard for what you want
And there ain't no right way to do the wrong thing

[Chorus]
Sometimes I pray to go back to a simpler day
When roots ran deep, family meant everything
Helpin' out your neighbor was understood
When you shook somebody's hand it was your word
Now it seems somehow that all those things have been misplaced
Thank God I didn't just grow up
Oh thank God I didn't just grow up, I was raised