A song about a man of peace forced to violence.
This song is a tale woven from a bit of fact and fiction. A song about a man of peace, formerly a man of war, forced to violence to protect his family.
GET GRANDPA’S GUN
J. Michael Tracy male vocal/uptempo
Daddy didn’t own a gun he was a peaceful man
Said he’d had enough of killin’---in Viet Nam
He moved us out to Grandpa’s farm, after Grandma died
Vowed we’d never let it go----and Grandpa cried
Wasn’t long before we started hearin’ things at night
Breakin’ glass, the sounds of laughter---and flashin’ lights
Daddy called the Sheriff---but he never came
Said “Jim you’re on your own—it’s them Gilbert boys again”
Daddy said, his Daddy said “Son try to do what’s right
Don’t turn your back on family or go lookin’--for a fight
But if you’ve gotta make a stand and there’s nowhere to run
---Ya do what ya gotta do
-----Get Grandpa’s Gun!”
The Sheriff said “Jim I’d come out, but they know where I live,
They’re bad seed every one of them and won’t---none of them forgive
One night I took young Jesse in for beatin’ up his wife
The next day my barn burnt down and they--threatened my life”
So Daddy stepped out on the porch to ask them all to leave
A shot rang out, a window shattered---and Momma screamed
Daddy ran into the house saw Momma on the floor
Holdin’ Grandpa’s bloody head---that’s when Daddy swore
(chorus)
(step up one key)
He opened up the closet, grabbed the old 243
Shut off all the lights and said---“Now listen to me
No matter what you think you hear- do not go outside”
He slipped out the back door into the night
--We heard shots, someone screamed, it sounded like a war
Heard’m gettin’ in their truck--then heard an engine roar
The truck was almost to the road when it burst into flames
And Daddy--made damn sure they’d--never kill again
(chorus)