My name is William, and I'm the son of Ambrose

I was born near that cast iron bridge

My mother Alice, she taught me to be a kind man

So I took it and shared it with my friends

I went to war at the age of 21

And I came back with my memories and my gun

Took care of the family, my brother, too

Bareknuckle boxing every day at noon

When I came back from war

There was something missing there

I had a finger, so naked and so bare

Where would I ever find, my one true love

If I'm just patient, she'll come from above

One day at the neighbors, I caught a flare

I fell in love with that Norwegian glare

We had a hippy, a cowboy, and a scholar

Little tomboy and a toddler too

In 1947 I did my best

Started what you see before and I stood the test

Well life ain't always easy

In fact, it's pretty tough

I hope you learned a thing or two about how I raised you up

Cause it's the best damn thing I ever done

That was a cold year in 1977

I left you all when I died and gone to heaven

Never got to say goodbye

Never got to give you hugs

Just remember, I love you all so much

In 1947 I met my wife

Her name is Phyllis and I made her my bride

Had a family with 5 kids

Most beautiful damn thing I ever did

Oh, in 1947 I met my wife

Her name is Phyllis and I made her my bride

Had a family with 5 kids

Most beautiful damn thing I ever did

Oh, my family, it will be alright

Just hold onto each other through this life

Oh, my family, it'll be alright

Keep shining your light