Paul Brown Petty was a good ol' man
You felt a little better when he shook your hand
Let me tell you a little 'bout him and you'll understand
Why Paul Brown Petty was a good ol' man

He grew up in the depression and he fought in the war
He never talked too much about the other shore
But he was real good-looking in his uniform
Officer Petty in '44

AND YOU MIGHT SAY, 'HEY, WHAT'S SO GREAT
SOUNDS LIKE A SIMPLE MAN''
HE WASN'T RICH OR FAMOUS BUT
TO ME, HE SURE WAS GRAND

He married a girl from down the street
Built her a house down by the creek
One girl, two boys, five mouths to feed
Paul Brown Petty built a family

He opened a shop down on the square
He'd set you on up in his barber chair
Get a summertime buzz or a real close shave
Get you all cleaned up, send you on your way

He was a Cumberland Presbyterian
He went up to meet his Maker in '91
Sometimes when I talk about him, I get sad
You see, Paul Brown Petty was my granddad

His courage runs down in my blood
His kindness in my eyes
If you can see a man in me
He's the reason why

Paul Brown Petty was a good ol' man
You felt a little better when he shook your hand
And if you could've known him, you'd understand
Why Paul Brown Petty was a good ol' man