Ab         Bbm
Oh son you have to start somewhere but
Ab       Bbm
dont run or you wont get there
Fm                      Bbm7
just tie your shoes and tend to the trees


[Refrain]
     Eb     Ab         Bbm      Fm
just be the man that I couldn't be
     Eb     Ab    Bbm      Ab
just be the man I couldn't be

Ab Bbm Eb Db


[Verse 2]
Ab      Bbm7
My son, see I wasnt there when you were born
Ab           Bbm7
but I felt a love for you like never before.
Fm                   Bbm
Whilst I'm away just pick up the leaves and


[Refrain]
Eb     Ab    Bbm     Fm
be the man I couldnt be
     Eb     Ab    Bbm     Ab
just be the man I couldnt be


[Chorus]
Ab         Db         Bbm            Ab
Sorry wont change the hurt that I've done so
Eb       Fm          Bbm      Ab
care for your mother when I'm gone cause
Ab         Db         Bbm            Ab
sorry wont change the hurt that I've done
   Eb       Fm          Bbm      Ab
so care for your mother when I'm gone


[Break]
Ab Bbm

                 Eb
Cause I wasnt my choice
             Fm   Ab
when I had to leave
                  Gb           Db
but if i had been stronger then i would have stayed


[Chorus]
Ab         Db         Bbm             Ab
Sorry wont change the hurt that I've done so
Eb       Fm          Bbm      Ab
care for your mother when I'm gone cause
           Db         Bbm            Ab
sorry wont change the hurt that I've done so
Eb       Fm          Bbm      Ab
care for your mother when I'm gone


[Verse 3]
Bbm
Oh son stay out of trouble
Ab          Bbm
be kind and always be humble
Fm                    Bbm
and make her proud by not being me just


[Refrain]
Eb     Ab    Bbm       Fm
be the man I could not be
     Eb     Ab         Db        Ab
just be the man that I could not be


[Outro]
Ab Bbm Eb

Db                                     Ab
just be the man the man that I couldnt be

Bbm Eb

     Db
just be the man be the man
    Ab            Bbm
and care for your mother
Eb           Db
care for you mother
Ab            Bbm
care for your mother
Gb       Db
care for her