Standing in the Shadows
Legacy in Shadows: Hank Williams Jr.'s Musical Journey
Lyrics
I know that I'm not great and some say I imitate
I acknowledge that I'm not considered great, and some suggest that I mimic someone else.
Anymore I don't know I'm just doing the best I can
Currently, I'm uncertain about my identity; I'm just trying my best in whatever I do.
After all I'm standing in the shadows of a very famous man
I recognize that I stand in the shadows of a highly renowned individual.
As I travel around from town to town
While traveling from place to place, I encounter many fans and friends of my father.
I have a lot of dad's fans and friends come around
People who admired my father often visit and express support.
They say I know Hank would be proud of you if he were here today
They believe that my father would be proud of me if he were alive today.
Now well we're all so glad and we know he would be too
We are all happy about this, confident that my father would share in our joy.
That you're carryin' on his music this way
They appreciate my continuation of his musical legacy.
Yes they say Hank was the all time great
People acclaim Hank as the greatest of all time.
And we know you'll be just as good as your dad
They anticipate that I will be as good as my father in my musical endeavors.
But I just smile and say there'll never be another Hank Williams friends
I respond with a smile, asserting that there can never be another Hank Williams.
That's the part that always makes them sad
This realization saddens those who hear it.
Yes I know that I'm not great and some say I imitate
Reiteration of the acknowledgment of personal limitations and potential imitation.
Anymore I don't know I'm just doing the best I can
Expressing uncertainty about personal growth, still doing the best possible.
It's hard standing in the shadows of a very famous man
Acknowledging the difficulty of existing in the shadow of a famous figure.
So many times when I'm on that stage I feel something go through me
Describing a powerful feeling while performing on stage, a transformative experience.
And for a minute I'm in a different world and that's when it does something to me
Feeling a connection to a different world during the performance.
The people are a hollering and clapping real aloud
The audience is enthusiastic, showing appreciation with loud cheers and applause.
While I'm out they're taking my bows
During the applause, I take my bows on stage.
I look up toward the ceiling and I say to myself listen dad just listen to that crowd
Reflecting on the moment, looking toward the ceiling, imagining the approval from the father.
But as the show goes on the people clap and holler more
The show continues with increasing audience excitement.
I start singing another of your great songs
Performing another of the father's great songs, carrying on the musical legacy.
That's the time that I know although you're gone your music will live on and on and on
Acknowledging that despite the father's absence, his music will continue to endure.
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