[Musical intro of country instruments and orchestra]

[Verse 1]

Givin’ up was never somethin’,

that I was born to do.

Givin’ in, it just ain’t in my blood,

no matter what I’m goin’ through.

Pulled myself up by my bootstraps

with these old hands rough by time.

Had to fight for every nickel,

every inch, and every dime.

Daddy said, “Son, life’ll break you,

if you let it have its way”.

So I learned to keep on pushin’

through the hard times every day’.

There were nights with nothin’ in me,

but a little faith to spare.

Still I held my head up high

and found an answer in a prayer.

[Verse 2]

I worked hard to build a life

that I am proud to call my own,

Even when I stood there fightin’

every battle all alone.

Yeah, the road was rough and ragged

but good fortune came around,

Like rain fallin’ on the dry dirt

or lost money that I found.

I’ve seen good men lose their way

by chasin’ dreams that burned too fast.

But I learned the things worth keepin’,

are things that’re built to last.

So I try to treat my neighbor

like we’re all just passin’ through,

‘Cause a little bit of kindness shown,

will come right back to you.

[Chorus]

I’m still stan-din’ tall..

with my bootstraps and some grace..

A little dirt still on my hands,

some sweat still on my face.

I ain’t perfect, that’s a given,

but I’ve done the best I knew,

Tryin’ hard to leave this rough old world,

better than I walked in to.

You can’t buy yourself your peace of mind

with silver or with gold,

And the hard times make your heart grow stronger

as you just grow old.

So I keep on walkin’ straight lines

it don’t matter what I face.

I’m still stan-din’ tall with my bootstraps and some grace..

[Bridge]

I ain’t sayin’ I’m a hero,

Lord knows I’ve made mistakes.

But every scar I carry

are from the chances that it takes.

And every mornin’ when I wake

I thank God I’m still here.

I’m still chasin’ down tomorrow

I don’t live in any fear.

[Final Chorus]

Yeah, I’m still standin’ tall with my bootstraps and some grace..

Fightin’ through the hard times,

while I’m runnin’ my own race.

And when my time runs out at last,

and they lay me in that clay,

I hope they say how he worked hard,

gave more than he took away.

[Outro]

Still standin’ tall…

with my bootstraps and some grace…

[Music plays out to end]