Grandpa Was a Carpenter

by John Prine

From the album: Sweet Revenge

Track 8 of 12 on Sweet Revenge (1973).

Duration: 2:10

Sweet Revenge cover art

Lyrics for Grandpa Was a Carpenter

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. 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 And shaved even every door And voted for eisenhower 'Cause lincoln won the war. Well, he used to sing me "blood on the saddle" And rock me on his knee And let me listen to radio Before we got t.v. Well, he'd drive to church on sunday And take me with him too! Stained glass in every window Hearing aids in every pew. 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 And shaved even every door And voted for eisenhower 'Cause lincoln won the war. 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 walked real tall and pride And used to buy me comic books After grandpa died. 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 And shaved even every door And voted for eisenhower 'Cause lincoln won the war.

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More from Sweet Revenge

  1. Sweet Revenge
  2. Please Don't Bury Me
  3. Christmas in Prison
  4. Dear Abby
  5. Blue Umbrella
  6. Often Is a Word I Seldom Use
  7. Onomatopeia
  8. Grandpa Was a Carpenter
  9. The Accident (Things Could Be Worse)
  10. Mexican Home
  11. A Good Time
  12. Nine Pound Hammer