Built around The daily struggle and dignity of trying to be an honest man in a dishonest world. Porch Light's front-porch acoustic warmth carries the concept through acoustic-folk that rewards repeat listens. "But I know what I'm after and it's simple, not the fame" — the kind of line that sticks in your head three days later. The mood runs determined, humble, earnest. Genre showcases on Majik's aren't filler — they're proof that independent music can carry real emotional weight when the lyrics and production align.
[verse 1]
I wake up before the sun and I put my boots on straight
Kiss my wife and grab my lunch pail, try not to be late
The highway's full of people chasing something they can't name
But I know what I'm after and it's simple, not the fame
I want to lay my head down every night and sleep in peace
Knowing that I did the right thing, knowing I didn't cease
To be the man my daddy raised me up to be
An honest man is all I'm trying to be
[chorus]
It ain't easy being honest when the whole world's cutting corners
It ain't easy standing straight when everybody's leaning
But I'd rather have my dignity than all the gold they're hoarding
I'm just an honest man trying to find the meaning
An honest man, with dirt beneath my nails
An honest man, who stumbles but never fails
To get back up and try it one more time
An honest man walking the line
[verse 2]
My neighbor drives a car that cost more than my house
He smiles but he can't sleep, I hear him pacing like a mouse
The boss says cut a corner here, nobody's gonna know
I say I'd rather lose the job than lose the seeds I sow
My daughter asked me, daddy, why don't we have nicer things
I said because we have the nicest thing there is, darling
A clean conscience and a handshake people trust
That's the treasure that'll never turn to dust
[chorus]
It ain't easy being honest when the whole world's cutting corners
It ain't easy standing straight when everybody's leaning
But I'd rather have my dignity than all the gold they're hoarding
I'm just an honest man trying to find the meaning
An honest man, with dirt beneath my nails
An honest man, who stumbles but never fails
To get back up and try it one more time
An honest man walking the line
[bridge]
I don't have all the answers, Lord knows I've got my flaws
But I stand for what I stand for and I don't bend the laws
When they write it on my tombstone, let them say just this
He was honest, he was trying, and he lived without a fist
[chorus]
It ain't easy being honest when the whole world's cutting corners
It ain't easy standing straight when everybody's leaning
But I'd rather have my dignity than all the gold they're hoarding
I'm just an honest man trying to find the meaning
An honest man, with dirt beneath my nails
An honest man, who stumbles but never fails
To get back up and try it one more time
An honest man walking the line
[outro]
An honest man
That's all I am
An honest man
Doing the best I can
