i ve been a waiter a roofer a clerk i ve shoveled manure till my pride hurt when you re starting out it s all part of the work to do what i do i ve been evicted for not making rent made my daddy wonder where my good sense went for the price of a dream my years have been spent to do what i do so i stand here tonight with this six string guitar to be something i ve always been in my heart just for the chance to play you my song the thrill when i hear you singing along it s been worth everything i ve been through to do what i do i ve played for empty tables and chairs the drunks that don t listen the crowds that don t care been told countless times boy you ain t going nowhere to do what i do so i hope the critics and skeptics alike all bought a ticket to this show tonight and they ll see firsthand that i have survived and what doesn t kill you makes you more alive and i m one of the fortunate few to do what i do there s so much joy this music can bring so i count my blessings when i step up to sing cause they re so many people who would give anything to do what i do and i thank you i can do what i do