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    ** This song was one of my first "keepers", written several years
    before the other songs on Heart Land. My Grandfather was still
    alive, and I regret that I never sang it for him. He was a farmer
    and a lawyer and could quote Shakespeare and the Bible. He was the
    strongest man I have ever known (my neighbor Sam, may be the second
    strongest)-- He had huge hands and forearms, and a gleeful smile.
     

        That Old Man (Tim Grimm)

        Thinkin' bout the old man on the farm, thinkin' bout the old man
        all alone
        Well I heard he crushed his hip when the cattle made him slip
        As he was feeding his hundred odd some herd
        But he pulled himself right up--
        Crawled a hundred yards or more, said, ÒDon't worry,
        I'll have better luck next time.Ó Sort of chuckled to himself
        And shook his head

        (chorus)
        That old man is my old Grandad, he's 86 years old today
        He's lived a full life, had 54 years with his wife
        And he'd do it all again the same way

        When I was a boy, I'd help out with the hay
        And I'd do anything that Grandaddy'd say
        A dollar an hour, workin' dawn till after dark
        I'd be so tired, I'd jump right into bed
        And I'd listen for awile as he and Grandma joked
        And I smiled at all the kind words that they said

        -Chorus

        We grow up all our lives and learn from those around us
        And I know that big, strong man has had a hand in who I am
        It's not always the harshest words that bring us understanding
        Sometimes it's the quiet things, said or left unsaid
        An example for us all in his words and in his deeds
        Family, work, and friends were all his needs
        And now he just can't slow down, and there's no one else around
        To help him do all the things he used to do
        I get up there when I can-- it's not enough I know
        But his eyes light up everytime
        Yes, his eyes they light up every time

        -Chorus

     

        © 2000 Steel Cabinet Publishing BMI

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