My family lived down on the Southside
So, I reckon you know what that means
Knock-about, hard-scrabble paychecks
And ballgames on black-and-white screens
Boy, you grew up a fan from the cradle
And you learned how to win and to lose
Played with the hand that was dealt ya
More than not, you were singing the blues

I was a fan when they stunk up the cellar
I was a fan when they brought home the gold
Oh I cheered and I cried, I lived and I died
Watching triumphs and horrors unfold
No, I don't own a piece of the action
But I'll tell you, son, just who I am
I am one of those creatures out there in the bleachers
I'm loyal, I'm true, I'm a fan

My dad took me out to the ballpark
Brought my cap and my tired old mitt
Though we sat in the last nose-bleed section
I was certain I'd catch me a hit
I was thrilled just to hear the crowd cheering
I was breathless, the grass was so green
When we all sang the Star-Spangled Banner
I knew I was part of the team

I was a fan when they stunk up the cellar
I was a fan when they brought home the gold
Oh I cheered and I cried, I lived and I died
Watching triumphs and horrors unfold
No, I don't own a piece of the action
But I'll tell you, son, just who I am
I am one of those creatures out there in the bleachers
I'm loyal, I'm true, I'm a fan

And today with my son and my daughter
I teach them of team and of town
Be a fan when you're riding a hot streak
And especially when it all breaks down

But these days it's all bottom-line board rooms
Where they're playing a different game
When the players don't stay with their home teams no more
Some things just don't feel the same
But for those of us here in the cheap seats
We're still holding on hard to the dream
Playing the hand that was dealt us
We are a part and the heart of the team

I was a fan when they stunk up the cellar
I was a fan when they brought home the gold
Oh I cheered and I cried, I lived and I died
Watching triumphs and horrors unfold
No, I don't own a piece of the action
But I'll tell you, son, just who I am
I am one of those creatures out there in the bleachers
I'm loyal, I'm true, I'm a fan
I am one of those creatures out there in the bleachers
I'm loyal, I'm true, I'm a fan