[Verse 1]
My mom woke my dad up
And said, "It's time to leave!"
So they jumped into the old Caprice
And tore off into the night
On the 4th of July
They flew through the darkness
Driving like Jehu
And they rolled into Ottumwa
Before the sun began to rise
On the 4th of July
And in walks Bob and Janice
Rachel's on her way
To peek in through the window
Hoping to hear her grandson cry
On the 4th of July

[Verse 2]
My mother watched the fireworks
From her hospital bed
And after it was all over
She held me for the first time
On the 5th of July
I've got my mother's brown eyes
And my dad's quiet way
And Grandma Rachel’s love for music
The morning I arrived
On the 5th of July
Deep in Iowa country
In a Heavenly Hideaway
On the shores of Lake Rathbun
My folks brought me home
On the 5th of July
[Refrain]
And that was when
Life began for me
And that was when
Life began for me

[Bridge]
A teacher and a mechanic
Brought me into this world
They loved me with all their hearts
Since the day I opened my eyes
On the 5th of July

[Outro]
And that was when
Life began for me
And that was when
Life began for me