Welding Burns

My father was a welder
 Down at the navy yard
 Up on the North Atlantic
 Where the winters come down hard
 A union job, some overtime
 Nobody would complain
 He went to work with humble pride
 Through the snow and rain
 Some things you're born to
 Some things you gotta learn
 My father built his world on bone, muscle and blood
 And welding burns
 After work he did some drinking
 He'd get a little rough
 Just to take the edges off
 But he never got enough
 He'd hang his coat up by the door
 And light a cigarette
 Mama'd take his supper out
 Turn off the TV set
 Some things you're born to
 Some things you gotta learn
 My father built his world on bone, muscle and blood
 And welding burns
 I can see 'em down at Leigh's Mills Pond
 With the August sun warming her brown skin
 He promised he'd take her away
 But I think he knew, even way back then
 Way back then
 ♪
 Mama said, "They're hiring, no need to graduate
 Maybe your dad could make a call to the 788"
 I always thought I'd get away
 I thought I could rise above
 I don't remember anymore
 What I was dreaming of
 Some things you're born to
 Some things you'd better learn
 My father was born bone, muscle and blood
 And welding burns
 Some things you're born to
 Some things you gotta learn
 My father built his world on bone, muscle and blood
 And welding burns