More Than A Song Poem by Rusty Ed Gibson

Riding in my truck the other day
Taking my son and his friends to play
When one of the boys spoke up and said
Why mister - do you listen to that?

I paused a moment and looked back at him
Looked him in the eyes and started to grin
Country music is straight from the heart
“Son it’s about this world that we’re apart”

Its horses and dogs and animals to feed
Gardens to water and fields to seed
Fences to build and a house to paint
Broken hearts and bones and lives worked away

Digging a ditch and plowing a field
Worrying how much the crops will yield
Keeping the dog from eating the cat
Not giving your kids a chance to be brats

Going to church and believing in God
Trying real hard to respect the law
Loving the kids and holding their hands
Showing your son how to be a man

I asked the boy – do you understand
It’s all part of growing up and being a man
It’s who you are no matter what you become
A carpenter, a doctor, or a fireman

It’s not where you live or what you drive
It’s feeling the love and being alive
Taking care of others and doing what’s right
Doing what you must to fight the good fight

Its family picnics and rodeos
Taking your girl to Friday night shows
Mowing the yard and cutting the trees
Living as men and being free

It’s riding a Harley or riding your horse
Kissing a girl – “there are things that are worse”
Feeling the sun and wind on your face
High on a mountain or old home place

Raising your young and caring for the old
Learning not to believe everything you’re told
Giving your love and sharing your faith
Hoping tomorrow you get a fair shake

Driving in your truck with your son
Letting your family know they’re number one
Fielding the questions that come your way
Learning what you should and shouldn’t say

So all the way home the radio played
I dropped off the boys and they said thanks
I tried to tell them how we live life
Is why we live with pure Country Pride!

Its something we do and something we are
Having a few beers at the local bar
Listening to Merle with the Juke Box cranked
Ending each day with nothing but Thanks
a way of life and how I was raised
and how I live day after day
who I am - all day long
It’s more than just a country song