The Way We Go About It

Years ago, she read a letter from the teacher
Sent home with her third-grade son
Tested on some reading
He had been caught cheating
"Why?", she said
"You told me to make good grades", he said
She tried to explain

"Son, the way we go about it matters
It's the testimony of the heart
Yes, the way we go about it matters
It's the proof of who we are"

Eight years down the road
He's in a load of trouble
Drugs get him expelled from school
Mother stands her ground
He curses her and heads for town
And says, "It's good money
For things that we need"
But she says, "It's worth nothing to me

'Cause the way we go about it matters
It's the testimony of the heart
Yes, the way we go about it matters
It's the proof of who we truly are"
Who we truly are

Tonight, she'll welcome home
The boy she raised alone
Who has done his time in prison like his father
Friends will come, they'll dance and laugh
She'll prepare the fatted calf
And at her table, he will take the seat of honor
And she'll hold him in her arms

Because the way we go about it matters
It's the testimony of the heart
Yes, the way we go about it matters
It's the proof of who we are
It's the proof of who we truly are
Who we truly are