The Gift

Grandfather came to Canada
 With a trade of a different time
 A learned man of God
 He just wasn't worth a dime
 So, mended clothes for pennies
 While his children went to school
 Sang them asleep at night
 Songs from the Old World and New
 Ohh, he could sing
 Had nothing to leave behind
 But his voice, gave him wings
 For a little while, he could fly_
 There was talk on the radio
 About a contest with a prize
 Cast to the best singer
 Thought he'd give it a try
 His son could play the piano
 And don't you know, they won
 Paid off some debts
 And the money was all gone
 Ohh, he could sing
 Had nothing to leave behind
 But his voice, gave him wings
 For a little while, he could fly_
 Never saw his children grown
 He was too young when he died
 His son became a scholar
 Played piano on the side
 When I was young my father played
 And I would sing along
 Songs from the world he knew
 And I remember most every one
 My voice was passed down to me
 Through the family line
 The gifts that we are given
 and the gifts we leave behind