The Southern Thing

Ain't about my pistol Ain't about my boots Ain't about no northern drives Ain't about my southern roots Ain't about my guitars, ain't about my big old amps "It ain't rained in weeks, but the weather sure feels damp" Ain't about excuses or alibis Ain't about no cotton fields or cotton picking lies Ain't about the races, the crying shame To the fucking rich man all poor people look the same Don't get me wrong It just ain't right May not look strong, but I ain't afraid to fight If you want to live another day Stay out the way of the southern thing Ain't about no hatred better raise a glass It's a little about some rebels but it ain't about the past Ain't about no foolish pride, Ain't about no flag Hate's the only thing that my truck would want to drag You think I'm dumb, maybe not too bright You wonder how I sleep at night Proud of the glory, stare down the shame Duality of the southern thing My Great Great Granddad had a hole in his side He used to tell the story to the family Christmas night Got shot at Shiloh, thought he'd die alone From a Yankee bullet, less than thirty miles from home Ain't no plantations in my family tree Did NOT believe in slavery, thought that all men should be free "But, who are these soldiers marching through my land?" His bride could hear the cannons and she worried about her man I heard the story as it was passed down About guts and glory and Rebel stands Four generations, a whole lot has changed Robert E. Lee Martin Luther King We've come a long way rising from the flame Stay out the way of the southern thing