(Ooh, ooh)
(Ooh)

Well, I've been a strong one
Since way too soon in life
Everything hard won
Each day one to survive
Been pushed around, been left out, take none and givin' more
Got up each time, spent some nights asking: What was it for?

But the day I first saw you
Knew what this strong one was to do

So I put my hands to the dirt, feet to the road
Clean up a mess 'fore you'd ever know
First one to the floor, last one to sleep
Nothing amiss nothing incomplete
I'll hold the fort and fight a war if that's what you need from me
I'll keep you all day on my mind, but when it's done
Some days I'll pour me a strong one

Well I've been a strong one
Had to, to raise you right
Always a wild one
Always lost up in your mind
And I'd hold that line, take your side when someone would criticize
Yeah I'd weather storms and unkind shores to keep you safe inside

And I'd do it all and more
I know just what I'm fighting for

Why I put my hands to the dirt, feet to the road
Clean up a mess 'fore you'd ever know
First one to the floor, last one to sleep
Nothing amiss nothing incomplete
I'll hold the fort and fight a war if that's what you need from me
I'll keep you all day on my mind, but when it's done
Some days I pour me a strong one

Yeah, some days I'd need me a strong one

And I sip it slow and think (sip it slow and think)
How I wouldn't change one thing

So I'll dry your eyes when you cry, smile when you're brave
Put back the pieces of better days
Love you as you are, won't ever stop
Push back the naysayers throwing rocks

Yeah, I'll hold that load and watch you grow into who you're supposed to be
I'll keep you all day on my mind, and when you're 21
We'll probably both need a strong one
I'll have to pour us a strong one

Oh, yeah, yeah
Hmm