A Better South

I was born in the shade of a longleaf pine
The proud southern son of Caroline
Proud of who I am and where I'm from
But I ain't so proud of how far we've come

On the backs of the poor, these towns were built
Where every ounce of pride comes a pound of guilt
There's a shadow here, looms long and black
It's always one step forward and two steps back

The only dream that ain't worth having
Is the one you won't chase down
They say sing your song, boy, shut your mouth
But I believe in a better South
Yes, I believe in a better South

Down here we're still fighting for all the wrong reasons
Old men still defend these monuments to treason
To the right side of history, we're always late
Still arguing the difference between heritage and hate

The only dream that ain't worth having
Is the one you won't chase down
They say sing your song, boy, shut your mouth
But I believe in a better South
Yes, I believe in a better South

I'm sick and tired of listening to Daddy's generation
The byproduct of war and segregation
Still thinking they can tell us of what to do
Who can live where and who can love who

The only dream that ain't worth having
Is the one you won't chase down
They say sing your song, boy, shut your mouth
But I believe in a better South

They say sing your song, boy, shut your mouth
Yes, I believe in a better South
Yes, I believe in a better South