Walk Tall
Doonican Val Lyrics

Walk tall, walk straight and look the world right in the eye
Be confident, upright, and face the world with courage.

That's what my mama told me when I was about knee high
My mother taught me this when I was very young.

She said son, be a proud man and hold your head up high
My mother encouraged me to be proud of myself and to have self-respect.

All through the years that I grew up, ma taught these things to me
My mother consistently taught me these values as I grew up.

But I was young and foolish then and much too blind to see
As a young person, I did not fully understand the importance of these lessons.

I ignored the things she said as if I'd never heard
I disregarded my mother's advice and did not take it to heart.

Now I see and understand the wisdom of her words
As I have grown older, I have come to realize the value of my mother's teachings.

I started goin' places where the youngsters shouldn't go
I began to go to places where it was not appropriate for young people to go.

I got to know the kind of girls it's better not to know
I became involved with people who were not the best influence on me.

I fell in with a bad crowd and laughed and drank with them
I joined a group of people who engaged in risky behavior.

Through the laughter mama's words would echo now and then
Despite my actions, my mother's words would occasionally come to mind.

I got in trouble with the law and I'm in prison now
As a result of my choices, I ended up breaking the law and going to prison.

Through these prison bars I see things so much different now
Being in prison has given me a new perspective on life and my past mistakes.

I've got one year left to serve and when my time is done
I have one year left in my prison sentence and then I will be released.

I'll walk tall and straight and make ma proud to call me son
When I am released, I will act with dignity and pride to make my mother proud.

Walk tall, walk straight and look the world right in the eye
The song concludes with a reaffirmation of the importance of self-respect and confidence.