Strength
Generations of Grit: A Musical Tale of Hardship and Resilience
Lyrics
Well I never dug coal out of a holler
Never engaged in coal mining in a hollow.
But granddaddy died breathing it in
Grandfather died from inhaling coal dust.
They say he broke his back making a dollar
Grandfather worked hard, broke his back for money.
To feed fifteen kids five wasnt his
Worked to feed 15 kids, not all of them his own.
He sale homegrown tomatoes on the side of the road
Sold homegrown tomatoes and other items by the road.
Along with other knick-knacks he had
Engaged in selling various knick-knacks.
He'd store the extra spending in an old shoebox
Saved money in an old shoebox under mamaw's bed.
That was hid underneath mamaws bed
Stored extra earnings discreetly.
To buy clothes for the kids in the winter
Used savings to buy winter clothes for kids.
He wouldn't spend a damn dime on himself
Selfless, didn't spend on himself.
Or for any unknown wolves that might come around
Protective against potential threats to the family.
To try to bring a poor family down
Resilience against attempts to bring the family down.
Well when times got hard papaw seemed to know what to do
Papaw knew how to navigate tough times.
He said son the struggles of a hard life
Believed hardships build character.
Will make a man out of you
Challenges shape a person.
Well the days and times are much different
Acknowledges present struggles despite different times.
But the struggle we still know all too well
Fighting poverty passionately, like father and grandfather.
Daddy must have been close with his old man
Dad influenced by his father's approach.
'Cause he fights poverty back like hell
Fighting against poverty with determination.
With the sun on his back sweat burning his eyes
Describes the physical toll of hard work.
They're worn but not broke as he drives his next nail
Tough but not broken, continuing to work.
there's blood on his knuckles
Physical evidence of hard work, blood on knuckles.
But he knows that he can't quit
Determined to keep going despite difficulties.
'Cause he knows that the bills that come they don't give a shit
Bills don't care about struggles, must keep going.
About five hungry eyes that won't tell no lies
Family's needs more important than external judgments.
He loves us more than we'll ever know
Father's deep love for the family.
Well when times got hard daddy seemed to know what to do
Father knows how to handle tough situations.
He said son the struggles of a hard life will make a man out of you
Similar advice to son about hardships.
Now I have two of my own a wife and a home
Now has own family, hopes for inherited strength.
I pray them men's strength lives in me
Prays for the strength of the men in his lineage.
With the world on its head and the wolves eyes just as red
Describing a chaotic world with threats.
I guess I'll get the chance to see
Anticipation of facing challenges to prove strength.
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