The Image and the Man

[Spoken Intro] I heard somebody say one time there’s the image… and then there’s the man. I think I’m starting to understand that. [Verse 1] Found myself a Western shirt, Put a good black hat up high, Boots looking like a million bucks, Little starlight in my eye. Built a picture on that screen Of the fellow I could see, Then an old friend from my school days said, “Man, you look country-famous to me.” And I smiled because that’s exactly What I hoped that picture’d say. I may not have the money, But I found another way. [Chorus] There’s the image and the man, There’s the picture and the truth. There’s the fellow in the spotlight And the boy he used to be in his youth. You can dress him like a star, Put a Martin in his hand, But when the lights come down at midnight, There’s the image And there’s the man. And I don’t have to own a mansion To dream bigger than I am. I can build myself an image Without losing who I am. [Verse 2] I’ve worn clothes I couldn’t purchase, Seen a version dressed up fine. Gold around my neck in pictures That was never really mine. But maybe that’s what dreaming is— Seeing something down the road. Trying on tomorrow Before you ever bear the load. The danger ain’t the photograph, The boots, the hat, the name. The danger comes when you forget The man beneath the frame. [Chorus] There’s the image and the man, There’s the picture and the truth. There’s the fellow in the spotlight And the boy he used to be in his youth. You can dress him like a star, Put a Martin in his hand, But when the lights come down at midnight, There’s the image And there’s the man. [Bridge] I don’t need to fake a fortune, I don’t need to claim the fame. I’m building something piece by piece And Bubba Patrick is the name. The image says, “Here’s where I’m going.” The man says, “Here’s where I’ve been.” And somewhere in between those two A brand-new road begins. [Rhythmic Spoken Verse] Hat ain’t character. Boots ain’t soul. Gold around your neck Can’t make a broken fellow whole. Followers ain’t friendship, Fame ain’t worth, And a million-dollar photograph Can’t tell you what you’re worth. So build the brand, Make it shine, Dream as big as you can stand. Just make sure when the curtain falls You still recognize the man. [Final Chorus] There’s the image and the man, There’s tomorrow and today. One can show you where you’re headed, One remembers all the way. Put the boots on, wear the hat, Pick that old guitar and stand. Dream as big as heaven lets you— But never lose the man. There’s the image And there’s the man. [Outro — Spoken] The image can introduce you. But character has to stay after everybody goes home. Big purpose. Small ego. All is well.