Lyrics
Verse 1
Sat on your shoulders, first memory
Wide-eyed in wonder, taught me how to sing
Showed me how to dream
Verse 2
I look in the mirror, staring at you
I tried on your jacket, but I couldn't fill your shoes
But I hope one day I do
Chorus
There goes a good man
Doing the best he can
Been a saint and a sinner
A loser, a winner
Oh, but don't misunderstand
There goes a legend
He's stumbling towards heaven
He cries when he sees us
When he talks about Jesus
And oh, if you need a hand
There goes a good man
There goes a good man
Verse 3
A man of his word, and most of them true
Once he gets going, inspires the entire room
And probably upset a few
Chorus (Repeat)
There goes a good man
Doing the best he can
Been a saint and a sinner
A loser, a winner
Oh, but don't misunderstand
There goes a legend
He's stumbling towards heaven
He cries when he sees us
When he talks about Jesus
Oh, and if you need a hand
There goes a good man
There goes a good man
Bridge
And I know he's not perfect
But oh, it's been worth it
Yeah, I'm just here rehearsing
To be more like him
Chorus (Repeat)
There goes a good man
Doing the best he can
Been a saint and a sinner
A loser, a winner
Oh, but don't misunderstand
There goes a legend
He's stumbling towards heaven
He cries when he sees us
When he talks about Jesus
Oh, and if you need a hand
Outro
There goes a good man
There goes a good man
There goes a good man
There goes a good man
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“A Good Man” presents a son’s affectionate portrait of a father whose influence is measured through memory, example, and faith. Images of sitting on his shoulders, learning to sing, trying on his jacket, and hoping to fill his shoes show admiration without pretending that the man is flawless. The chorus holds apparent opposites together: saint and sinner, loser and winner, legend and stumbling pilgrim. That honesty gives the tribute warmth and keeps goodness connected to perseverance rather than perfection.
References to Jesus and heaven place the family portrait within a Christian hope. The father’s compassion, readiness to help, and desire to keep moving toward heaven resemble biblical descriptions of integrity expressed in everyday conduct. The bridge makes imitation the song’s central response: the son is still rehearsing how to become more like the man who formed him. In this way, the lyrics honor a parent while recognizing that faithful character is practiced through humility, service, and continued dependence on grace.
Related Scripture
- Proverbs 20:7 The proverb connects a righteous life with blessing for a person’s children.
- 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul presents faithful imitation as a means of following a godly example.
- Philippians 3:14 Paul describes pressing onward toward God’s heavenly call in Christ.