More of a Man

I took my granddad’s .22
When I was in the 2nd grade
I shot a deer right in the heart
And rubbed his blood upon my face

The summer when I turned sixteen
I got up each day before the dawn
I was building barns and bailing hay
Worked harder than the day was long

Now I’m 30 and I have three kids
I watch Dora the Explorer in the morning
I feel a sad truth sinking in
Maybe I was more of a man back then

It used to be that my daily fare
Was chicken fried steak and barbecue
I had Dr. Pepper every meal
And ice cream when the day was through

Now I’m watching my cholesterol
My metabolism is obviously slowing
Tonight its salad once again
Surely I was more of a man back then

I used to watch Jean Claude Van Damme
Killing guys on the silver screen
Now every night with the kids in bed
We watch Gilmore Girls on DVD
Surely I was more …

So I suck in my protruding gut
On our monthly dinner night
You’re saying something about the kids
As I watch these young men pass me by

I remember I was just like them
I was lonely but I called it independent
And if lonesome is what manly is
Baby I was more of a man back then