Lyrics

Born in Greenup, Kentucky, Charlie Jenkins made his stand,
With grease on his hands and a wrench always close at hand.
From John Deeres to Datsuns, Charlie fixed what no one could,
He taught Melissa, Ruth, Monica, Charlotte, and Bo what it means to be good.
He loved a cold beer, a hard laugh, and a fast car’s roar,
But his greatest pride was his family—nothing mattered more.
Charlie Jenkins, a hard man with a golden heart,
Gave his all to his children, right from the start.

**[Chorus]**
So drive on, Charlie Jenkins, through those golden gates,
You’ve earned your rest, we’ll carry your weight.
Tell Mama Violet we love her, we’ll see you both soon,
But for now, we’re still learning to dance to your tune.
You taught us to fight, to fix, to stand tall and strong—
Happy Birthday, Daddy—your love drives us on.

**[Verse 2]**
Fifty years with Violet, Charlie held her through every storm,
Fighting cancer and memories that faded, he kept her warm.
He never quit, not when the world said he should—
He just lit another smoke and did what he could.
From busted-up bodies to broken-down dreams,
Charlie made ugly things beautiful, or so it seems.
He showed Melissa, Ruth, Monica, Charlotte, and Bo what’s true—
How to make it through hell and come out new.

**[Chorus]**
So drive on, Charlie Jenkins, through those golden gates,
You’ve earned your rest, we’ll carry your weight.
Tell Mama Violet we love her, we’ll see you both soon,
But for now, we’re still learning to dance to your tune.
You taught us to fight, to fix, to stand tall and strong—
Happy Birthday, Daddy—your love drives us on.

**[Bridge]**
Charlie took his last ride on a cold Kentucky night,
Said, “Let me check on my babies before I take flight.”
He saw the good Lord and Violet waiting by the door—
But he came back for a moment, just to love us once more.
He said, “I’m only back for a minute, so say your goodbyes—
I’m heading home to Violet, under those Kentucky skies.”
And Melissa, Ruth, Monica, Charlotte, and Bo cried,
But Charlie Jenkins knew it was time for his final ride.

**[Verse 3]**
Daddy, I just had my own heart rebuilt,
But there’s plenty of room for your love, never spilt.
I’ll keep Devin and Alex safe, just like you did for me—
And Ruth, Monica, Charlotte, Bo, we’re your legacy.
Troy’s by my side, and we’re all holding on,
To the lessons you taught us, the love that’s so strong.
So until we meet again, on that far shining shore—
Happy Birthday, Charlie Jenkins, we love you even more.

**[Final Chorus]**
Drive on, Charlie Jenkins, through those golden gates,
You’ve earned your rest, we’ll carry your weight.
Tell Mama Violet we love her, we’ll see you both soon,
But for now, we’re still learning to dance to your tu