He was 22 in a hospital room Just a boy without a clue Holdin' the hand of his best friend Doin' what he's supposed to do I came in the world that day and his was forever changed No time to blink, no time to slow down I was comin' either way For the first time, I saw his blue eyes He was tall as the pines He was strong as a river flows Planted a garden for a family to grow Stood steady in the wind When one and one made three Might've been a man to you, but he Was a hero to me I was 17, shakin' like a leaf With his truck bent around a tree Said, "Cars and boats, they come and go I'm glad you're in one piece" Son, you gotta slow down And he showed me how He was tall as the pines He was strong as a river flows Planted a garden for a family to grow Stood steady in the wind When one and one made three Might've been a man to you, but he Was a hero to me ♪ When I was 25, two pink lines Just starin' back at me Ain't it funny how a dream can change Shake you to one knee? I picked up the phone and I called home And I hit him with the news He just laughed and said, "Well, son Here's all you gotta do" "Be as tall as the pines Be as strong as a river flows Plant a little garden for your family to grow Stand steady in the wind When one and one make three I might be your old man, but son You're a hero to me A hero to me"