[Verse 1]
It don't matter what you say
Only matters what you do
It don't matter if the show is on
Better finish up your food
It don't matter if you failed
Or that the sun was in your eyes
All that matters is you did your best
All that matters is you tried

[Chorus 1]
These are the words of my father
In the midst of all my tears
Kept it in my left back pocket
After all these years
Daddy lives by example
And he walks in love
Though he wasn't always easy
We somehow overcome
Grandpa raised up a good man
I forget you also once were young
Daddy lives by example
And I'm proud to be your son

[Verse 2]
It don't matter what they think
They can't take away your joy, no
Don't let anyone look down on you
You're not just a little boy
Son, I see your full potential
Son, I see what you can be
All that matters is you trust your heart
Look to God and just believe
[Chorus 2]
These are my words as a father
In the midst of all his tears
Keep this in your left back pocket
One day I won't be here
Daddy lives by example
And he walks in love
Though it isn't always easy
We somehow overcome
Oh, now I hope to be a good man
And hope I don't forget that you're still young
Gotta live by example
And I'm proud that you're my son

[Bridge]
You weren't always fair
In times you didn't seem to care
Times that you were way too hard on me
Then daddy said "one day you'll understand
When you're holding your own child's hand
The love of a father's what they'll need"

[Chorus 3]
Daddy lives by example
And he walks in love
Though he wasn't always easy
We somehow overcome
Grandpa raised up a good man
I forget you also once were young
Now I live by example
And I'm proud to be your son
[Outro]
Gotta live by example
And I'm proud to be your son