From the recording Everything Else Was Noise
The Kind Of Man I’m Proud To Know
This song is about the kind of man whose goodness does not need to announce itself.
“The Kind Of Man I’m Proud To Know” was written from a place of love, respect, and gratitude for my brother. It is about recognizing strength that is quiet, steady, and real — the kind of strength that shows up in loyalty, decency, patience, and the way a person carries himself when life is not easy.
Some people leave an impression because of what they say. Others leave one because of how they live. This song honors a man who has earned my respect not through grand gestures, but through character.
At its heart, this is a song about being grateful for someone who reminds you what goodness looks like when it is lived out day by day.
— Lane Alan Dumser
Lyrics
He got my hand-me-down clothes
Some too big, some wore too thin
Mama said, “You’ll grow into ’em”
And somehow he always did
He got the toys I left behind
Some still had my name
And when we boys got underfoot
We both got treated just the same
Dad had us straightenin’ bent nails
When trouble found our name
Or when we hung around too long
And got in the way
That’s my brother
That’s my blood
Same old roots, same rasin’
Same hardheaded love
Years went by without him
But when we finally spoke
I didn’t see what time had stolen
He’s the kind of man I’m proud to know
He didn’t wear my shadow
He didn’t walk my road
He took whatever life gave him
And made it fit his soul
Years went quiet between us
Like a field left overgrown
But roots don’t need much talking
To remember where they’re sown
Then one day that distance opened
Like an old gate swingin’ wide
And there he was, still my brother
Just older on the other side
That’s my brother
That’s my blood
Same old roots, same rasin’
Same hardheaded love
Years went by without him
But when we finally spoke
I didn’t see what time had stolen
He’s the kind of man I’m proud to know
Now I ain’t countin’ what we missed
I’m holdin’ what we found
Some roads take the long way home
But still come back around
I don’t see what time had stolen
I see grace in what came back home
He’s more than just my brother
He’s the kind of man I’m proud to know