Old Shovel
by Glen Hofbauer

Some old friends were in town I hadn’t seen in years
I said come by the house we’ll have a burger and beer
No better way that I know to spend an afternoon
Yea see you soon

We caught up on life shared jokes and laughs
Talked of old classmates and where they were at
Then someone asked why’s that shovel in your living room

I looked up and said…
That’s the old shovel my Granddaddy had
Sweat stains on the handle from his calloused hand
The blades been worn down from the garden he tilled
And potatoes we dug from the patch on the hill

But now it reminds me of wisdom he shared
Work hard but love harder and show that you care
Be humble and grateful for all that you have
That’s why I hang it proudly

That old shovel Granddaddy had
That old shovel Granddaddy had
Yea that old shovel
That old shovel that Grandaddy had

They all sat silent not sure what to say
Then one after another the stories they came
Memories of loved ones made us smile
But some were sad I think you understand

We opened our souls and hearts to each other
Talked of fathers and mothers of sisters and brothers
All dug up by that old shovel my Granddaddy had

I smiled and said……
That’s the old shovel my Granddaddy had
Sweat stains on the handle from his calloused hand
The blades been worn down from the garden he tilled
And potatoes we dug from the patch on the hill

From the time that he spent cleaning the barn
And the roses he planted in Grandma’s front yard
From old dogs that he buried the tear that was shed
Is on that old shovel….

That old shovel Grandaddy had
That old shovel Grandaddy had
Yea that old shovel
That old shovel that Granddaddy had