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