(verse 1)
First day of school, he was kicked out of class
Flash-forward to fifth grade, and he could barely pass
His daddy never offered when he needed help with math
One day he said “son I’ll be right there, then he left and never came back”
(chorus 1)
I see a little lost boy with a tear in his eye
And he studies so hard cuz he knows he can fly
And he’s tryin’, as hard as he can
Now his mama’s so proud on graduation day
But he’s crying inside cuz daddy never came
He moves on, now that takes a real man
(verse 2)
Fresh out of high school, he meets a blond waitress
One night of passion brings 9 months of stress
Workin’ minimum wage can barely feed a house of two
Three jobs now and it’s bearin’ down, feelin’ trouble he never knew
(chorus 2)
I see a little lost boy with a tear in his eye
With thoughts of runnin’ away and leave his troubles behind
He looks down and takes his son’s hand
He says “Bobby I promise I’ll never leave,
Won’t make the same mistakes my daddy made with me”
Now that takes a real man
(solo)
(bridge)
He finally gets a raise at the factory
And he sets his goal helping his family
And puts his faith in God to see him thru
(down chorus)
He works so hard as the years fly by
And watches his son go through college full ride
At graduation day, daddy’s in clear view
(end chorus)
I see a little lost boy with a tear in his eye
As he thinks of the day he thought of leavin’ behind
All he worked for, all that he has now
So glad he never made the choice that he’d always regret
And the tougher things got the tougher that he’d stick
Now that takes a real man
I see a little lost boy with a tear in his eye
Lookin’ back in the mirror his heart’s filled with pride
Cuz he did the best that he can
Now his kids got a wife and a son of his own
Every little league game they’re there to cheer him on
I said hey that takes a real man, I said hey now that’s a real man