[Verse 1] Sun came up on creaking beams Dust in the air, and coffee steam Granddad’s cap hanging on the wall Said, “Boy, hear that turning call” Wind pushed hard on weathered sails Ropes in my hands, cracked and pale Wheat turned white under grinding stone That old tower felt like home [Chorus] I was a windmill hand, just a molenaar’s son Turning with the seasons till the daylight was done Raised by the river and the moaning of the gears Counting every harvest, not the years I was a windmill hand, just a molenaar’s son Back when work was simple, and the old days spun [Verse 2] Boot prints worn in the wooden floor Same three steps to the heavy door He’d wink, say, “Listen, it talks to you It groans and sighs when the storm blows through” Bread on the table, flour on my clothes Wind-burned cheeks and a freckled nose We’d lean out, laughing at the sky Swear that we could almost fly [Chorus] I was a windmill hand, just a molenaar’s son Turning with the seasons till the daylight was done Raised by the river and the moaning of the gears Counting every harvest, not the years I was a windmill hand, just a molenaar’s son Back when work was simple, and the old days spun [Bridge] Now the sails stand still in the silver dawn Barn’s locked up, and the horses gone But close my eyes, hear his gentle drawl “Turn with the wind, boy, stand up tall” (stand up tall) [Chorus] I was a windmill hand, just a molenaar’s son Turning with the seasons till the daylight was done Raised by the river and the moaning of the gears Counting every harvest, not the years I was a windmill hand, just a molenaar’s son And the old days spin in my heart, still turning on
