Outfit
Jason Isbell Lyrics

You want to grow up to paint houses like me
You aspire to be like me and work in the same trade as me.

A trailer in my yard till you're twenty three
Until you're twenty-three, you'll have to live with me in our yard's trailer.

You want to be old after forty two years
You're hoping to live a long life and grow old over a period of 42 years.

Keep dropping the hammer and grinding the gears
Keep working hard and pushing yourself to your limits.

Well, I used to go out in a Mustang, a 302 Mach One in green
I used to drive a green Mustang, a 302 Mach One, with your mother in the back seat when you were conceived.

Me and your Mama made you in the back and I sold it to buy her a ring
Your mother and I made you in the back seat of my Mustang before I sold it to buy her an engagement ring.

And I learned not to say much of nothing so I figured you already know
I don't speak a lot, so I assumed you were already aware of everything I'm telling you now.

But in case you don't or maybe forgot, I'll lay it out real nice and slow
Just in case you forgot or didn't know, I'll explain everything slowly and carefully.

Don't call what your wearing an outfit, don't ever say your car is broke
Don't refer to your clothing as an outfit, and don't admit that your car is broken.

Don't worry about losing your accent, a southern man tells better jokes
Don't be concerned if you lose your Southern accent, as Southern men are known for their great sense of humor.

Have fun, stay clear of the needle, call home on your sister's birthday
Enjoy yourself, avoid drugs, and always remember to call your sister on her birthday.

Don't tell them you're bigger than Jesus, don't give it away
Never declare yourself to be superior to Jesus, and don't give away your power or leverage.

Five years in a St. Florian foundry, they call it Industrial Park
I worked at the St. Florian foundry, which is sometimes referred to as the Industrial Park, for five years.

Then hospital maintenance and tech school just to memorize Frigidaire parts
After that, I worked in hospital maintenance and attended technical school to learn how to memorize Frigidaire parts.

But I got to missing your Mama and I got to missing you too
I started to miss your mother and you a lot.

And I went back to painting for my old man and I guess that's what I'll always do
I returned to work for my father painting houses, and I think I'll always do this.

So don't try to change who you are boy, and don't try to be who you ain't
Be true to yourself and don't try to be someone you're not.

And don't let me catch you in Kendale with a bucket of wealthy-man's paint
Don't use expensive paint in Kendale that belongs to someone else.

Don't sing with a fake British accent, don't act like your family's a joke
Don't sing with a fake British accent or make fun of your family.

Don't give it away
Don't reveal too much or give away too much of yourself or your power.