You wanna grow up to paint houses like me
With a trailer in my yard till you're 23
You wanna feel old after 42 years
Keep dropping the hammer and grinding the gear

Well I used to go out in a Mustang
A 302 Mach One in green
Till me and your mama made you in the back
And I sold it to buy her a ring

And I learned not to say much of nothing
So I figure you already know
But in case you don't or maybe you forgot
I'll lay it out real nice and slow

Don't call what you're wearing an outfit
Don't ever say your car is broke
Don't worry about losing your accent
Cause a Southern Man tells better jokes

Have fun but stay clear of the needle
Call home on your sister's birthday
Don't tell them you're bigger than Jesus
Don't give it away
Don't give it away
Five years in a St. Florian foundry
They call Industrial Park
I worked hospital maintenance and Tech School
Just to memorize Frigidaire parts

But I got to missing your mama
And I got to missing you too
So I went back to painting for my old man
And I guess that's what I'll always do

So don't let 'em take who you are boy
And don't try to be who you ain't
And don't let me catch you in Kendale
With a bucket of wealthy man's paint

Don't call what you're wearing an outfit
Don't ever say your car is broke
Don't sing with a fake British accent
Boy don't act like your family's a joke

Have fun, but stay clear of the needle
Call home on your sister's birthday
Don't tell them you're bigger than Jesus
Don't give it away
Don't give it away