My grandmother owned a night club
On the Arkansas-Oklahoma line
Mama put me on a greyhound
And I went to stay with her in the summertime

I'd box up those empty long-necks
And stack 'em in the back and make a hand
Then at night she'd let me sneak out
Of the kitchen and let me sit in with the band

Yes, I have sacked some quarterbacks
And broke my share of bones along the way
I knew it wouldn't last forever
Semi-pro always means semi-pay

I started climbing drilling rigs
I'm oil field trash and proud as I can be, yeah
Then I took my songs and guitar
And sang 'em to a man from Tennessee

I've played every beer joint tavern
From New York City out to Pasadena
Every corn dog fair and rodeo
And sold out every basketball arena

Like to get down with my boys
In Afghanistan and Baghdad City too
I am a red, white and blue blood
Graduate of honky tonk U

A star can't burn forever
And the brightest ones will someday lose their shine
But the glass won't ever be
Half empty in my optimistic mind

I'll still have a song to sing
And a band to turn it up and play it loud
As long as there's a bar room
With a corner stage and a honky tonk crowd

I've played every beer joint tavern
From New York City out to Pasadena
Every corn dog fair and rodeo
And sold out every basketball arena

I like to get down with my boys
In Afghanistan and Baghdad City too
Son, I'm a red, white and blue blood
Graduate of honky tonk U

Thats right, a red, white, and blue blood
Graduate of honky tonk U