Working Man's Ph.d.
Aaron Tippin Lyrics


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You get up every morning 'fore the sun comes up
Toss a lunch box into a pickup truck
A long hard day sure ain't much fun
But you got to get it started if you want to get it done.
You set your mind and roll up your sleeves
You're workin' on a Working Man's Ph.D.

With your heart and your hands and the sweat on your brow
You build the things that really make the world go 'round
If it works, if it runs, if it lasts for years
You can bet your bottom dollar it was made right here
With pride and honor and dignity
From a man with a Working Man's Ph.D.

Now, there ain't no shame in a job well done
From driving a nail to driving a truck
As a matter of fact, I'd like to set things straight
A few more people should be pullin' their weight
If you want a cram course in reality
You get yourself a Working Man's Ph.D.

When the quittin' whistle blows and the dust settles down
There ain't no trophies or cheering crowds
You'll face yourself at the end of the day
And be damned proud of whatever you've made
Can't hang it on the wall for the world to see
But you've got yourself a Working Man's Ph.D.

Now, there ain't no shame in a job well done
From driving a nail to driving a truck
As a matter of fact, I'd like to set things straight
A few more people should be pullin' their weight




If you want a cram course in reality
You get yourself a Working Man's Ph.D.

Overall Meaning

The song "Working Man's Ph.D." by Aaron Tippin is a tribute to the hard-working individuals who make up the backbone of society. The lyrics describe the daily routine of a blue-collar worker who wakes up early and heads out for a long, grueling day of labor, but maintains a positive attitude and a strong work ethic in order to get the job done. The reference to a "Working Man's Ph.D." alludes to the idea that a lifetime of working in a trade or craft can be just as educational and valuable as a formal education.


Throughout the song, Tippin emphasizes the importance of pride and honor in one's work, regardless of the job title or paycheck. He challenges those who may look down on blue-collar work to see the value and impact of these jobs in shaping and sustaining society. He notes that a true sense of accomplishment comes from knowing you've done your best and created something of value, even if it's not something that can be hung on a wall or celebrated with fanfare.


Overall, "Working Man's Ph.D." is a tribute to the unsung heroes in society who work tirelessly to build and maintain the infrastructure and systems that make our world run smoothly. It highlights the dignity and importance of all types of work, and encourages us to appreciate the contributions of those often overlooked.


Line by Line Meaning

You get up every morning 'fore the sun comes up
You wake up early in the morning, before the sun comes out


Toss a lunch box into a pickup truck
You put your lunch into a pickup truck


A long hard day sure ain't much fun
A day full of hard work is usually not enjoyable


But you got to get it started if you want to get it done.
You have to start working hard if you want to complete your tasks


You set your mind and roll up your sleeves
You focus and prepare yourself to work hard


You're workin' on a Working Man's Ph.D.
You are currently receiving an education from hands-on experience


With your heart and your hands and the sweat on your brow
You put your effort, skill, and hard work into what you're creating


You build the things that really make the world go 'round
You construct things that are important to make the world function


If it works, if it runs, if it lasts for years
If what you made is functional, long-lasting, and does its job well


You can bet your bottom dollar it was made right here
It is highly likely that it was made correctly and effectively by you


With pride and honor and dignity
You work with a sense of pride, respect, and self-worth


From a man with a Working Man's Ph.D.
A person who learned from hard work and experience


Now, there ain't no shame in a job well done
It is not wrong to feel accomplished after a hard day’s work


From driving a nail to driving a truck
Regardless of the job you do, it can be fulfilling


As a matter of fact, I'd like to set things straight
In fact, I want to clarify something


A few more people should be pullin' their weight
More individuals should work harder to contribute to society


If you want a cram course in reality
If you want to learn what life is really like


You get yourself a Working Man's Ph.D.
The best way to learn is through hands-on experience and hard work


When the quittin' whistle blows and the dust settles down
When the workday ends and all is done


There ain't no trophies or cheering crowds
You do not receive any public recognition for your hard work


You'll face yourself at the end of the day
You will reflect upon yourself and your hard work at the end of the day


And be damned proud of whatever you've made
You should feel a sense of pride in whatever you accomplished


Can't hang it on the wall for the world to see
You cannot display your hard work for others to admire


But you've got yourself a Working Man's Ph.D.
However, you gained valuable education through hands-on experience and hard work




Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: BOYD, DOUGLAS, TIPPIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@michaelvrooman5681

Semi-Truck / Trailer mechanic for over 35 years. Stiff, sore, tired of the B.S. but i still outproduce any 25 year old spoiled kid i've worked with. When my trucks hit the road, the owner knows i did it right ! Workin mans P.H.D. !!

@orionhumberger8648

Crushed my spine hauling steel... Got mine 🧾

@michaelpark802

Damn right brother screw this new generation

@MuddyBubby

Show the 25 year old how you do it, and maybe the young workers won't be so bad. I understand some don't give a shit and just want to show up to work to get money instead of work, but as someone who's starting out, and wanting to learn more about my trade, I ain't got time for snobby old timers who won't share information but wanna complain about the help quality!

@dorenebonczkiewicz8698

You go kick ass

@dorenebonczkiewicz8698

Go for old timers yes some young people do wanna learn just gotta be taught .

28 More Replies...

@mean45acp

Aaron is one of the NICEST PEOPLE I have ever met!!! I first met him during his USO tour BEFORE his first album was released while serving in OPERATION DESERT STORM.
Since then I have run into Aaron more times than I can count, literally. I have shared many meals with him and a few with his son. He is EXTREMELY approachable and always takes time to meet people, shake hands, sign autographs, take pictures, and pray with any who ask.
After I got out of the Marine Corps and started trucking I ran into Aaron at Mont Eagle Truck Stop. I was taking a quick break on a rainy, foggy night/morning. Aaron and a bunch of country stars came into the restaurant. There were 6 people in the place before they came in. When I saw him I smiled a little remembering the concert he did for the troops. He walked right up to me, put his hand out, and said "Glad to see you made it home alright.".
I asked him if he k e who I was or if he was saying that because of my haircut. He told he EXACTLY where and when he met me and basically what we said to one another. I was floored. Then Aaron called the others over to personally introduce them to me.
I hauled cars for a living. Almost 20 years, and met a hell of a lot of celebrities over those years. Some were polite, some nice, some friendly, many were assholes.
Talk shit about him and you are doing a disservice. The man is TRULY DOWN HOME. His former jobs run a gambit most would hate, but all were hard work. They include welder, coal miner, truck driver, dock worker, commercial pilot, and many more. He loved singing in a band with his buddies, and fortunately it paid off for him.
Don't hate on someone because they are famous AND REAL.!!!!!!

@collinscott2067

This is truly an awesome story

@justinharvey1355

Hard work keeps your feet where it rightly belongs, firm on the ground.

Thank you for your service sir.
*Salutes*🇺🇲

@sheila174

I live about 30 minutes from mont eagle!! I have seen a few celebrities also, but I haven't seen Aaron Tippin.
Thank you for your service!!

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