Coulda been my grandpa, coulda been my preacher

Coulda been my third grade history teacher

Somebody said it and I'll never forget it

Mighta been my daddy, mighta been my mama

Mighta been Dolly Parton or the Dalai Lama

They were words to the wise

And they hit me right between the eyes



If you wanna write a song, better get a guitar

If you wanna win Daytona, better get you a car

If you wanna be Picasso, better get you some paint



Son, you are what you do

And if you don't, then you ain't

Coulda been a stranger, coulda been a friend

Coulda been a commentator on CNN

Talkin' through my TV directly to me

Mighta been my butcher, mighta been my baker

Mighta been an outta work undertaker down at the Superette

Who gave me this reality check



If you wanna go to heaven, you better go to church

If you wanna promotion, you better get to work

If you wanna catch the big one, better get you some bait

Yeah, you are what you do

And if you don't then you ain't

If you want an education, you better stay in school



Get some sunglasses if you wanna be cool

Talk to Mother Teresa if you wanna be a saint

Yeah, you are what you do

And if you don't, then you ain't

Yeah, you are what you do

And if you don't then you ain't