Granddad’s Hands ( Live from Tootsie's Orchid Lounge)

[Applause Fades / Room Settles] [Colt Slowly Fingerpicks Acoustic Guitar] [Long Pause] [Colt — quietly] This next one's... About my granddad. [Pause] He was one of those men that... Didn't say a whole lot. Didn't have to. You could look at his hands... And pretty much know the whole story. [Soft Guitar] They were rough. Scarred up. Worked damn near every day of his life. But when I was a kid... Those same hands always made me feel like... Everything was gonna be alright. [Pause] I understand him a whole lot more now... Than I did when he was here. [Colt takes a breath] This is Granddad's Hands. [Verse 1] I still remember sittin' on that porch swing Granddad hummin' low, wearin' his old blue jeans Sunset glowin' on a wrinkled face Every line was a story, every scar had a place He'd pat my shoulder, say... "Boy, take a stand... The world's a whole lot better When you work with your hands." I didn't get it then... But I sure do now The way he lived his life... Still shows me how. [Faint Pedal Steel Enters] [Chorus] Granddad's hands... Built this town Raised a family up Never let 'em down Held a Bible... Held a plow... Held on strong When times got loud Every nail Every mile Every seed he planted... Still grows... In the callus... Of Granddad's hands. [Pedal Steel Lingers / Audience Silent] [Verse 2] He taught me how to drive In that beat-up Ford Taught me right from wrong And a whole lot more Said, "A man's true wealth Ain't the cash he saves... It's the love he leaves behind When he's gone someday." [Colt Pauses / Breathes] When he shook my hand It was tough as stone But gentle enough To make Grandma feel at home Now I see his strength... In the life I've made... And I pray my kids... [Voice Catches Slightly] Will say the same... Someday. [Soft Fiddle Enters] [Chorus] Granddad's hands... Built this town Raised a family up Never let 'em down Held a Bible... Held a plow... Held on strong When times got loud Every nail Every mile Every seed he planted... Still grows... In the callus... Of Granddad's hands. [Fiddle Plays a Short, Mournful Melody] [Band Completely Drops Out] [Bridge — Colt & Guitar Only] Now when I'm workin' Out in those fields Sometimes... I swear I feel him. [Pause] I swear he's real. Every hammer I swing Every row I sow It's the gift he gave me... Still helpin' me grow. [Long Pause] [Colt — almost spoken] And sometimes I'll look down... At my own hands... [Guitar Stops] And... Damn. [Several Seconds Silence] I see his. [Single Guitar Note] And I hope... When my time comes... My boy looks at his... And sees a little bit of me. [Quiet Guitar Resumes] [Final Chorus — Restrained, Emotional] Granddad's hands... Built this town Raised a family up Never let 'em down Held a Bible... Held a plow... Held me up... When life knocked me down. [Fiddle Slowly Returns] Every nail... Every mile... Every seed he planted... Still grows... Through everything I am... [Voice Cracks] And everything... I hope to be... [Pause] Started somewhere... In Granddad's hands. [Band Fades Completely] [Outro — Colt Alone] Yeah, I carry his heart... In the life I've planned... His words in my head... His blood in who I am... [Long Breath] And the strength of my soul... Still rests... In Granddad's... Hands. [Final Guitar Chord] [Absolute Silence for Several Seconds] [Audience Slowly Begins Applauding / Applause Builds] [Colt doesn't speak immediately] [Quietly] Miss you, Granddad. [Pause] Every day. [Crowd Applauds Louder]