12. Grandfather
Music and lyrics written by Sherry Smith
Story
My Grandfather was the biggest influence in my life growing up. He was a coal miner and risked his life going down in those holes every day. He came over from England with a couple of friends at an early age to work in the Cassidy coal mines just south of Nanaimo BC. He used to raise canaries to take down in the mine as they were the only safety net they had before the Unions. He lost two best friends who died in his arms down there from the gases. Above ground he cultivated the most beautiful garden I have ever seen. When he retired from the mines he worked part time as a Gardener for others. He was the ''Gardener of my Mind''.
I listened to his fairy tales and sat upon his knee.
I felt his love for music as he tapped incessantly.
His eyes would dance and sparkle like the sun upon the sea.
He said there was on one - - he loved as much as me.
People said he had a gift - his green thumb was reknown.
He'd bring gardens back to life - that others left to drown.
I asked him how he made the flowers bloom to colours bright.
He said it is a secret - I'm just here - - - to treat them right.
Chorus
Grandfather you have long since been away.
To places I have yet to know
The light of your love still shines through today,
in every flower that grows.
Oh he'd diddly doo and he'd diddly di in his garden all day long,
Amidst the shrubs and greenery like a fleeting leprechaun.
Come to think of it - I never saw a day that he was sad,
Just pruning his roses and reaping his fruit and weeding the good
from the bad.
Sometimes he's take me walking down to the citadel.
The other old men called him Tom, I guess they knew him well.
They'd laugh and spit and chew tobacco and feed the pidgeons there.
And they'd talk about the old Country - and how they wished,,,,,,they were there.
Repeat Chorus
As I got older he sat down and told me of his life.
How he's been a coal miner and how he'd lost his wife.
He said nothing grows in deep black holes except the gnawing fright.
Some men might live out their lives,,,,and never see,,,the light.
He said I've got this feeling child - my time is drawing near.
And I don't want to leave you without making things quite clear.
I don't believe in funerals and I hope you will stay away.
Just remember all the happy times - the way we are today.
One week later to that day - when I was not around.
The Doctor said he'd left his body before it touched the ground.
I felt no sorrow - felt no pain - I knew he would not mind.
He knew what he had been to me,,,,,,,,,,The Gardener of my Mind.
Repeat chorus end.