ADD: Father's Table Grace (Flatt & Scruggs)

Subject: Daddy's Evening Prayer
From: Banjer
Date: 28 Aug 99 - 03:50 PM

This was a recitation type song in the country field some years ago. I have searched for it for a while with no luck. I think I may have asked here before also. I can't for the life of me remember the artist that did it. The story line dealt with a young man ready to leave home for the first time and the blessing that his daddy asks for him and towards the end of the prayer daddy also asks if it isn't about time for him to come home and please don't make him wait too long. I always thouht it was kind of pretty.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Daddy's Evening Prayer
From: Gene
Date: 28 Aug 99 - 05:42 PM

The only version that I recall is from

The Best Of Lester Flatt LP

1974 RCA APL1-0578

If no one else posts the lyrics

I will after the weekend....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Daddy's Evening Prayer
From: Gene
Date: 28 Aug 99 - 05:44 PM

Father's Table Grace is the listed title...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Daddy's Evening Prayer
From: Banjer
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 04:20 AM

Maybe that's why I couldn't find it at my local music store with the fancy touch activated computer thingie. I don't go in there very often. The atmosphere is very Rap oriented and they play music(?) so damn loud you can hardly hear yourself think. Eventualy, after floundering a while trying to figure out where amongst all the Rap, Pop, Techno and other stuff that wouldn't even pass for noise in most dictionaries they keep the the Country and Bluegrass cassettes and CD's, something that defies description (pierced lip, tongue, eyebrow, and earings) waltzes up and asks you if you're finding what your looking for. Not hardly able to hear him above the noise I just say yes and let it go at that. How does one explain to that mindset that you are looking for a song from the 50's or 60's and try to explain that it actually has a story line and worse, what it is about.

However I will attempt again this morning to go there and use the correct title, Father's Table Grace. I will also check the Flatt and Scruggs section. I was way off base not only with the title, but I was thinking more along the lines of a Walter Brennan type voice doing the recitation. I could almost hear that gravely old voice with the hesitant pauses doing that number.

Thanks for the help, Gene. I'll let you know how the search turns out by Sunday PM and maybe save you typing it in. Thanks again!!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Daddy's Evening Prayer
From: Banjer
Date: 29 Aug 99 - 05:39 PM

Veni, Vidi, but no Vici:-( I did see where they had it listed, but none of the Flatt & Scruggs they had in stock included that selection. If you do have it and have time to post the lyrics I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Daddy's Evening Prayer
From: Banjer
Date: 30 Aug 99 - 08:46 PM

Like the Eveready Bunny, still going........still looking for lyrics......anybody??

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Daddy's Evening Prayer
From: Banjer
Date: 01 Sep 99 - 06:15 PM

REFRESH

Subject: Lyr Add: FATHER'S TABLE GRACE (Flatt & Scruggs)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 04 Jun 08 - 11:39 AM

Lyrics copied from LPDiscography.com, and corrected by me based on listening to several sound samples:

FATHER'S TABLE GRACE
Otho Jones, Homer L. Sewell
« © 1961 Unichappell Music, BMI »

As we set at the table, our family's heads bowed low,
My thoughts return to childhood and the finest man I know.
He doesn't speak good English. He's just a simple man,
But when he's talking to the Lord, even a little child can understand.
I was young and reckless, but the thought still comes to me,
When I told my dad I felt I was old enough to leave.
He set there at the table, and a look came on his face,
And he never spoke another word till he said the table grace.
He said, "Our gracious heavenly Father, we're all gathered here today
To give Thee thanks for blessings, so humble, we pray:
My oldest son is leaving. I'm sure he knows what's best,
But just in case, would You stand by and help him stand the test?
Lord, he's often neglectful about church on Sunday morn,
And if he gets with the wrong crowd, would You let him hold your arm?
And if he flies too high, would You clip his wings?
But don't let him fall too hard. I'm sure, Lord, You can handle things.
I've tried my best from day to day to teach him right from wrong,
And he's grown to be a fine young man, and he's always blessed our home.
We pray Thee, Lord, for guidance, that he won't build upon the sand,
But we won't worry half as much if we know he's in Your hands.
And oh, yes, Lord, it won't be long,
Till I'll be coming home. Don't make me wait too long.
We pray, dear Lord, for guidance. Please cleanse us from our sins
So we can all be together in Heaven. In Jesus' name, amen."
The table was silent as tears went down my face,
And from that day on, I base my life on father's table grace.

[Recorded by Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs on "The Fabulous Sound of Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs," Columbia CS-9055, 1964, and on several later collections; also by Lester Flatt separately. Also recorded by Skeeter Davis, Ferlin Husky, and a few others.]