Written by Jon Wolfe, Dave Brainard, & Tony Ramey
The foundation of our country was built on sacrifice and hard work, respect from the military, honor, and patriotism, and passing that down to the next generation. To me, a “Good ol’ boy” can be anyone that wants to carry forward our core American values – pride in what you do, the heritage of hard work, bravery, freedom, and the love of country.
I don’t care whether you’re on the left, right, or in the middle, we built this country on those values. I feel like we’re in a place where we could lose that if we aren’t careful.
This song is a statement song. It’s for those that still observe and honor the sacrifices of those that came before us and for all of those still fighting for our great country.
(Intro)
When I was just a kid
Granddad told me, "Son, this world's a-changing fast
One that I grew up in, Lord
Seems like it just ain't gonna last"
Said, "I feel a storm a-coming
The winds of change are blowing strong
Son, I'm afraid when the good old boys age out
The good old days are gone"
It wasn't twenty years ago
Hard work was part of the American brand
Now it seems like folks are working awful hard
To do as little as they can
Since when did all the grinders and believers
Become the cause the cause of all that's wrong?
And I'm afraid when the good old boys age out
The good old days are gone
(Chorus)
Here's to the hand that swings the hammer
Pours the concrete, bends the steel
To the hand that steers the wheel out on the tractor
To the soldiers in the field
Oh, everything they do ain't worth nothing
If we don't pass it on
And I'm afraid when all the good old boys age out
The good old days are gone
(Verse)
Why does all the pride we used to feel
Feel so far away?
The stars and stripes used to be forever
Is on borrowed time these days
And I ain't tryna make nobody mad, Lord
But there's something going on
I'm afraid when the good old boys age out
The good old days are gone
(Chorus)
Here's to the hand that swings the hammer
Pours the concrete, bends the steel
To the hand that steers the wheel out on the tractor
To the soldiers in the field
Oh, everything they do ain't worth nothing
If we don't pass it on, and on, and on
And I'm afraid when all the good old boys age out
The good old days are gone
Gotta do all you can
'Cause freedom is an easy thing to lose
And there's who'd fight and die just to fly
That old red, white, and blue
See any generation, Lord, is only here
For so long
And I'm afraid when the good old boys age out
The good old days are gone
And I'm afraid when the good old boys age out
The good old days are gone
