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Week 22 - The Man Upstairs (190520)

from Song A Week, Volume 4 by James Tristan Redding

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Co-written with Mark Narmore.

lyrics

Jeans and flannel leather boots on gravel
Good old Mr. Randall handy as they come
Ain't a talker reminds me of my father
Just like clockwork twenty years and then some

Since he handed me the keys he's been watching over me
Hell, sometimes I forget he's even there

Always fixing something keeps this whole place running
No matter what I break he's got a spare
Right above my ceiling I wonder if he hears me
When I finally hit my knees and say a prayer
The man upstairs

Last Thursday cake and candles for his birthday
He left one burning and lit a cigarette
Sat before me kept me up 'til morning
Swappin' stories like two best friends

Tuggin' on his beard he wiped away a tear
And put that last piece of cake in some Tupperware

He's always fixing something keeps this whole place running
No matter what I break he's got a spare
Right above my ceiling I wonder if he hears me
When I finally hit my knees and say a prayer
The man upstairs

Wonder what I’ll miss the most when the old man finally goes
Up to hear the angels sing
Looking out at the clear blue sky said he’s ready and I know why
‘Cuz someone’s watching over him

credits

from Song A Week, Volume 4, released February 12, 2020

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about

James Tristan Redding image

James Tristan Redding Nashville, Tennessee

British-American songwriter, singer, audiobook narrator, studio player, Godin Guitars official artist.

Founded global collective www.SongAWeek.org, performance art experience The Under Over: tinyurl.com/uoxuo (song circle underneath a highway) and writing retreat www.TheNashville24.com (annual challenge: write 24 songs in 24 hours).

Cuts by Sarah Harralson, Eli Alger, Emma Gale, David Easterling ... more

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