I can see the sky for miles, I can see that time so clear

When you told me "forever" was a word that I should not fear

I can see you driving and smoking, Virginia Slims on the dash

On that day I was crying, you stopped the car, looked back

You said

"Boy, get the message, this ain't no New York City

Born and bred in West Texas, raised you to be different

No matter how it ends, no matter all your sin

I hope you will understand

When I leave, you better be a good man"

I can see that house in the summer, baseball in the yard

And when my knees got bloody, you told me keep playing hard

I remember mass on Sundays, collared up to the ten

You were so damn faithful, even if it all was a mess

And in those years that we weren't speaking

When I was drinking for some meaning

You called me on the phone and then you said, hey

"Boy, get the message, this ain't no New York City

Born and bred in West Texas, raised you to be different

No matter how it ends, no matter all your sin

I hope you will understand

When I leave, you better be a good man"

"You better be a good man"

And it's so hard to imagine what I'll do without you here

As you gaze your eyes towards mine, tell me to wipe away those tears

You say Jesus loves you, always will, no matter what you did

And in that moment, I'm a kid again

You said

"Boy, get the message, this ain't no New York City

Born and bred in West Texas, raised you to be different

No matter how it ends, no matter all your sin

I hope you will understand

When I leave, you better be a good man"

"You better be a good man"