WILLIAM KNAPP'S STORY (Verse 1) In seventeen seventy-five he came Born when the colonies broke their chains A boy from old Dutchess County ground Where revolution's drums did sound With calloused hands and hopeful heart He'd make in this new world his start (Verse 2) Sarah Cutter caught his eye In Woodbridge town beneath the sky Married young in eighteen-four Their love would last forevermore Children came like spring's sweet rain Joseph first, then came the chain (Chorus) William Knapp, shoemaker's son Built a life when day was done Eleven children, one true wife Legacy of a well-lived life From New York soil to Jersey's shore His family name lives on and more (Verse 3) To Newton town they made their way Pioneer settlers of their day Spring Street home and leather trade Justice's bench where law was weighed Methodist faith and Mason's hall Served his neighbors, served them all (Chorus) William Knapp, shoemaker's son Built a life when day was done Eleven children, one true wife Legacy of a well-lived life From New York soil to Jersey's shore His family name lives on and more (Verse 4) Eighty-one years upon this earth Measured not in gold but worth Samuel, Cyrus, Catherine dear Benjamin, Charles he held near Hannah, Sarah, William too Manning, Elsie saw him through (Bridge) When the wagon thieves came calling When the winter snow was falling Through the seasons, through the years Through the laughter and the tears He stood steady as an oak Simple, honest, working folk (Chorus) William Knapp, shoemaker's son Built a life when day was done Eleven children, one true wife Legacy of a well-lived life From New York soil to Jersey's shore His family name lives on and more (Outro) Now he sleeps in Newton ground But his echo still resounds In every child who bears his name In every heart that knows his fame William Knapp, remember well The story that his life did tell
