GRANDPA WAS A CARPENTER
Written by John Prine
As recorded by John Prine on “Sweet Revenge” (1973)

1. Grandpa wore his suit to dinner nearly every day—
No particular reason; he just dressed that way:
Brown necktie and a matching vest and both his wingtip shoes.
He built a closet on our back porch and put a penny in a burned-out fuse.

CHORUS: Grandpa was a carpenter; he built houses, stores, and banks,
Chain smoked Camel cigarettes and hammered nails in planks.
He was level on the level, shaved even every door,
And voted for Eisenhower 'cause Lincoln won the war.

2. Well, he used to sing me "Blood on the Saddle" and rock me on his knee
And let me listen to the radio before we got TV.
Well, he'd drive to church on Sunday and he’d take me with him too.
Stained glass in every window, hearing aids in every pew. CHORUS

3. Now my grandma was a teacher, went to school in Bowling Green,
Traded in a milking cow for a Singer sewing machine.
She called her husband "Mister" and she walked real tall in pride,
And used to buy me comic books after Grandpa died. CHORUS