Bill Anderson

Bill Anderson - Papa lyrics

Papa was a simple man

Papa loved his farming land

Guess I didn't understand

Please forgive me papa.

You can't paint a picture of a man like papa

With something as empty as words

'Cause there's no way to measure

The toughness of timber

And compare it to the softness of birds.

Papa was both and yet he was neither

Just a hard working God fearing soul

He gave what he had to the ones that he loved

And I guess he loved me best of all.

For I was the oldest and we were the closest

We worked that old farm side by side

I guess that's the reason it hit me the hardest

The morning that my papa died.

All I could think of was how hard he'd worked

And what little comfort he'd found

I guess that's the reason I hitched up the mule

And drove the old buggy to town.

I picked out a lot in the big cemetery

In the shade of a tall maple tree

Figured it's the least I could do for my papa

After all the things that he's done for me.

We gave him a funeral fit for a king

And then we laid him to rest in the sod

Somehow I thought that in that big pretty place

He just might feel closer to God.

The women were crying as they passed by papa

The men stopped and all shook my hand

Most of the mourners had gone when I looked up

And noticed this white haired old man.

He was dressed kinda shabby and he walked with a cane

His voice was shaky and low

I had to look twice before I rocognized him

He used to work for us a long time ago.

They told me this morning that the big boss had died

And I thought that I should come around

I went out to the homeplace to tell him goodbye

They told me that you done brought him to town.

I remember your papa used to say that when he died

He didn't have but one request

He wanted to be burried out dare on that farm

He said there wadn't nowhere else that he could rest.

When I heard what you'd done I fatched me a shovel

Found me an old paper sack

I scooped up some dirt from up near the farmhouse

And thought that I'd just bring it back.

I hope you don't mind if I just sorta scatter these

Few little pieces of clay

It ain't gonna mess up your pretty green grass

He just might sleep better this way.

Guess I didn't understand, please forgive me papa...

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