My mom woke my dad up

And said "It's time to leave!"

So they jumped into the old Caprice

And tore off into the night

On the 4th of July

They flew through the darkness

Driving like Jehu

And they rolled into Ottumwa

Before the sun began to rise

On the 4th of July

In walks Bob and Janice

Rachel's on her way

To peek in through the window

Hoping to hear her grandson cry

On the 4th of July



My mother watched the fireworks

From her hospital bed

And after it was all over

She held me for the first time

On the 5th of July

I've got my mother's brown eyes

And my dad's quiet way

And Grandma Rachel's love of music

The morning I arrived

On the 5th of July

Deep in Iowa country

In a Heavenly Hideaway

On the shores of Lake Rathbun

My folks brought me home

On the 5th of July



And that was when

Life began for me

And that was when

Life began for me



A teacher and a mechanic

Brought me into this world

They loved me with all their hearts

Since the day I opened my eyes

On the 5th of July



And that was when

Life began for me

And that was when

Life began for me