Son, you make me feel so proud
I pop the buttons right off my shirt
I know I promised to take you to the lake today
But I'm going to have to break that promise and it really hurts

Every time I go fishin', it always starts me wishin'
That I could be a child again
Take my 50 cents and go down to the local picture show
To watch my heroes rope and ride

Most times they'd win but when they'd lose
It always made me cry
Ain't nothing quite as sad
As watching your heroes die

One by one, and as they fall
Soon there'll be no heroes at all

Well, I guess the fish just ain't bitin'
Just as well, 'cause I don't feel like fightin'
All in all, it just ain't that great a fishin' day

That old newspaper headline
Kind of wrapped around this old heart of mine
Another big one got away

And I can't count the times he's made me laugh
But this time, he's made me cry
And there ain't nothing quite as sad
As watching your heroes die

One by one as they fall
Soon there'll be no heroes at all