My name is William and I'm the son of Ambrose
I was born near that cast iron bridge
My mother Alice, she taught me to be a kind man
So I took it and shared it with my friends

I went to war at the age of 21
And I came back with my memories and my gun
Took care of the family, my brother, too
Bareknuckle boxing every day at noon

When I came back from war
There was something missing there
I had a finger, so naked and so bare
Where would I ever find, my one true love
If I'm just patient she'll come from above

One day at the neighbors, I caught a flare
I fell in love with that Norwegian glare
We had a hippy, a cowboy, and a scholar
Little tomboy and a toddler too

In 1947 I did my best
Started what you see before and I stood the test
Well life ain't always easy
In fact, it's pretty tough
I hope you learned a thing or two about how I raised you up
Cause it's the best damn thing I ever done
That was a cold year in 1977
I left you all when I died and gone to heaven
Never got to say goodbye
Never got to give you hugs
Just remember, I love you all so much

In 1947 I met my wife
Her name is Phyllis and I made her my bride
Had a family with 5 kids
Most beautiful damn thing I ever did
Oh, in 1947 I met my wife
Her name is Phyllis and I made her my bride
Had a family with 5 kids
Most beautiful damn thing I ever did
Oh, my family, it will be alright
Just hold onto each other through this life
Oh, my family, it'll be alright
Keep shining your light