Introduction
“Small Town Southern Man” is a poignant country ballad written and performed by Alan Jackson. Released on November 19, 2007, as the lead single from his album Good Time, the song quickly resonated with audiences, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in March 2008, marking Jackson’s 23rd number one hit on that chart .
The song narrates the life of a humble man raised in a rural Southern town, emphasizing values such as hard work, devotion to family, faith, and patriotism. Through its lyrics, Jackson paints a vivid picture of a man who builds a life grounded in these principles, raising a family and remaining steadfast in his beliefs. While the song draws inspiration from Jackson’s own upbringing and family experiences, he has stated that it serves as a tribute to the broader community of individuals who share similar rural backgrounds and values .
Musically, “Small Town Southern Man” features traditional country instrumentation, including fiddle and steel guitar, set to a moderate tempo. This arrangement complements the song’s reflective tone and storytelling approach. Critics have praised the song for its heartfelt narrative and authentic portrayal of Southern life, with Country Universe’s Kevin John Coyne awarding it an A rating and describing it as “a deserving tribute to fathers who put family before everything else” .
Beyond its commercial success, the song has left a lasting impact on listeners, serving as an anthem for those who identify with its themes of simplicity, resilience, and familial devotion. Its enduring popularity underscores Jackson’s ability to connect with audiences through sincere storytelling and a deep appreciation for the values that shape everyday lives.
Video
Lyrics
Born the middle son
Of a farmer
And a small town
Southern man
Like his daddy’s
Daddy before him
Brought up
Workin’ on the land
Fell in love
With a small town woman
And they married up
And settled down
Natural way of life
If you’re lucky
For a small town
Southern man
First there came
Four pretty daughters
For this small town
Southern man
Then a few years
Later came another
A boy, he wasn’t planned
Seven people
Living all together
In a house built
With his own hands
Little words with love
And understanding
From a small town
Southern man
And he bowed
His head to Jesus
And he stood
For Uncle Sam
And he only loved
One woman
He was always proud
Of what he had
He said
His greatest contribution
Is the ones
You leave behind
Raised on the ways
And gentle kindness
Of a small town
Southern man
Raised on the ways
And gentle kindness
Of a small town
Southern man
Callous hands
Told the story
For this small town
Southern man
He gave it all
To keep it all together
And keep his family
On his land
Like his daddy
Years wore out his body
Made it hard
Just to walk
And stand
You can break the back
But you can’t break
The spirit
Of a small town
Southern man
And he bowed
His head to Jesus
And he stood
For Uncle Sam
And he only loved
One woman
He was always proud
Of what he had
He said
His greatest contribution
Is the ones
You leave behind
Raised on the ways
And gentle kindness
Of a small town
Southern man
Raised on the ways
And gentle kindness
Of a small town
Southern man
Finally death
Came callin’
For this small town
Southern man
He said it’s alright
‘Cause I see angels
And they got me
By the hand
Don’t you cry
And don’t you worry
I’m blessed
And I know I am
‘Cause God
Has a place in heaven
For a small town
Southern man
And he bowed
His head to Jesus
And he stood
For Uncle Sam
And he only loved
One woman
He was always proud
Of what he had
He said
His greatest contribution
Is the ones
You leave behind
Raised on the ways
And gentle kindness
Of a small town
Southern man
Raised on the ways
And gentle kindness
Of a small town
Southern man