Grandpa

From the Album Troubadour

Grandpa’ sold fish
For forty years or more
Peddling fish on street corners
Going door to door

Out of four sons, two have joined him
A small market on the east side
That’s where you found Grandpa
And his children side by side

They sold carp, shrimp, bullheads,
Catfish, and walleye
You’re right there watching them
As they laid them down in the deep fry

If you weren’t feeling good
When you first walked into their store
You felt a whole lot better
Before walking out their door

Ain’t no point in complaining
Always best to share a smile
Do what you can for other people
Always take the time to talk with folks awhile

Grandpa did the smoking.
Brown sugar, hickory dust and corn cob.
You never tasted smoked salmon before,
Until you had them smoked by my Grandpa

When he weren’t working found him down at the mission
Passing out Gideon Bibles in hotels
Once a week down at the drunk tank
Trying to convert the drunks at the county jail

I’ve seen wino’s hungry
Too poor to pay for their own meal
Saw Grandpa cook them up fish in the fryer
Just plain forget about the bill

Grandpa’ getting older
Kept working night and day
His two sons now own the market
Oh Lord I pray that it will never change

(Spoken)
When does one grow old
When eyes grow dim
When does one grow old
When hair gets thin
Is one old when they can’t admit they’re wrong
Is one old when they can’t find joy in a song
When is one old my friend I say
When one can’t dream of a better day

Ain’t no point in complaining
Always best to share a smile
Do what you can for other people
Always take the time to talk with folks awhile

Words & Music by Larry Long
Copyright Larry Long 1986; Renewed 2020 / BMI

*Poem “When Does One Grow Old” written by Grandfather Arthur Veach.

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