Small Man Lyrics

First time I ever saw my grandpa

Was a trip way up north to Michigan

He lived on the rocky shores of a Great Lake

But to me it just looked like the ocean

We called him grandpa then his last name

A formality to keep him pushed away

So when he said you can just call me grandad

This little boy didn't know what to say

Married seven times

Twice to my grandma

Sent us meat and cheese for Christmas

But hardly ever called

Never took me fishing

No wise words of advice

A small man on a big lake

Covered over with ice

The second time I ever saw my grandpa

He picked me up in his big blue Ford

Said this town's got it all backwards

There's more churches than liquor stores

Turns out that's the last time I would see him

A handshake not a hug to say goodbye

He didn't make the trip for my wedding

And he never looked my boys in the eye

He flew planes in the war

At least that what he said

Couldn't really trust him

According to my dad

Never told him that I loved him

It never felt quite right

The small man on a big lake

Covered over with ice

They found him in a ditch on the roadside

His frail body frozen in the snow

My dad went alone to the funeral

He said son there's no need for you to go

Married seven times

Twice to my grandma

Sent us meat and cheese for Christmas

But hardly ever called

Can't say I ever knew him

But can't say I ever tried

The small man on a big lake

Covered over with ice