[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