CIM Records

Lyrics

PROMISES AND DREAMS

My old man drove a long haul line
Last seven years on borrowed time
Thermos…log book….dashboard light
Rolling through the edge of night
He’d kiss my Mom, smile and say
“There’s bills to pay so I can’t stay.”
He never talked about a life that’s missed
Just turned the key and clenched his fist

We’d sit outside when he rolled in
His tailgate preaching on the wind
“This world don’t owe us one damn thing,
Don’t trust the promise or the dream
I’ve seen them break more men than war
They take their soul and ask for more.”
He’d ruffle my hair and kiss my head
And say, “Son, be a man…earn your bread.”
That’s what he said…

There’s an open road before me
Leading to my destination
I’m a union man through-and-through
Working hard without hesitation
I might not be rich, but we ain’t poor
I’m happier than it seems
I wouldn’t trade this life I have
For promises and dreams

We married young like some kids do
Thinking love would pull us through
The challenges of day-by-day
The things we need…the bills we pay
I rode with Dad and learned the trade
Through truckstop nights that always fade
His words of wisdom ringing true
In all he’d say and in all he’d do

Now, I’m hauling cargo from the pier
Learned the grind and hid the fear
Sometimes I think I see him still
Turning west behind the wheel
His voice lives in my rear view light
“Hands on the wheel…drive through the night.”
He gave me more than he ever said
By the way he worked…the life he led
The life he led…

There’s an open road before me
Leading to my destination
I’m a union man through-and-through
Working hard without hesitation
I might not be rich, but we ain’t poor
I’m happier than it seems
I wouldn’t trade this life I have
For promises and dreams

We sat out back one July dusk
With fireflies and summer dust
Our kids were playing in the yard
We earned it all by working hard
My wife was never one to fear
She saw the vision…kept it clear
And now we have all that we need
Hard work planted every seed

One day our kids will both be grown
And harvest all the seeds we’ve sown
I’ll sit out on my front porch chair
I’ll pull the weeds and breathe the air
Remembering my father’s voice
“Working hard, son, was the choice.”
Life is good…love is free
Don’t chase the things that you can’t see

There’s an open road before me
Leading to my destination
I’m a union man through-and-through
Working hard without hesitation
I might not be rich, but we ain’t poor
I’m happier than it seems
I wouldn’t trade this life I have
For promises and dreams

(I wouldn’t trade this life I have)
For promises and dreams
(I wouldn’t trade this life I have)
For promises and dreams

© 2026 Christopher Iverson Music/BMI
words & music: Christopher Iverson