Well, he’s a local man, common man, workin’ at the factory
A dues-payin’ member, Local any number, tryin’ hard to feed his family
Goes to church on Sunday, on time Monday
Thanks God when the Friday whistle blows
Local man on the blue-collar plan, wonderin’ where the money goes
                            
He’s a local man, family man; dog, two kids, a lovin’ wife
Since the farm foreclosed, a local club an’ PTA are his life
He drives a beat up truck, an old sedan
Has a second mortgage on a simple home
A local man doin’ what he can to repay each an’ every loan

          Local man, gettin’ by as best as he can
          Backbone of the land, local man

He’s a loyal American, flies the flag every 4th of July
Accepts his lot, don’t complain, rarely questions reasons why
Fought in the war, since he came back
For his self-worth an’ dignity
He’s a local man, well-respected man in the local community

          Local man, gettin’ by as best as he can
          Backbone of the land, local man

Newspaper says man loses job, kneels with his family to pray
Tucks kids in bed, holds the wife close an’ never wakes to see another day
Fourth-generation prime farmland
Swallowed by a super-mega-mart
A God-fearin’ man, man among men, finally died from a broken heart

          Local man, yeah, gettin’ by as best as he can
          Backbone of the land, local man
          Local man, gettin’ by as best as he can
          Backbone of the land, local man
          Local man, gettin’ by with them ol’ calloused hands
          Backbone of the land, local man


Copyright by Freedom Tracks Music ASCAP.