Got eight kids, running in and out,
bang’n away, at that front, screen door
Wife’s in the kitchen, cook-n up a storm,
She calls for my assistance…,I’d rather sit
Here, in this soft chair, and play my old banjo,
and watch, watch my family grow...,

Take that pot, off the stove, sit it here, in the sink
I’ll drain the pasta…, then, we, all can eat
As I’m sitting there, surrounded by, my family
I thank the lord, for all…, he has given me
Can’t play no banjo, if, there isn’t music, in your heart
Right now, and at every meal, I could write, a symphony

Supper’s done, now its time, to watch T.V.
Suzie don’t want, to watch no news,
Billy wants, to watch cartoons,
What’s a man to do, when he loves his family
Guess, we’ll turn, off that tube, listen to the kids
Tell their jokes, some, are really, funny.

Damn, we forgot to feed the pigs, what has, come, over me
And out I go, to take care of, forgotten chores
I reached down to get the feed, there is little Duane,
He says, I came out, to help you dad, Bobby, Ralph,
And Billy, “he’s only four”, we all came, to help you dad
If, I had my old banjo, I could write a symphony

We got it done, my sons and I, then went, back to the house
Sara, Suzie, Margaret, and Mary say to me, it’s time, for our bath
My sons, they just cringe and say, why take a bath,
When you know your clean, Girls, are, all crazy
I told my sons, you must be clean, before you go to bed
Otherwise, when you say your prayers, they won’t be heard

Gee dad, one son said, then that would mean, if we’re not clean
When we thank the lord, for you and mom, he won’t hear our words?
As the tears, filled my eyes, I just turned away and said..,
Yes, son, you are right, then off they went, to take their baths
It wasn’t long, all our babies, were fast asleep.

My wife and I were finally, alone, kids tucked-in, all was quite
I put my arm around her, and I thanked her for her love.
Then, I thanked her for giving us, our children
She smiled back at me, kissed me on my lips
And said, she was sorry, I didn’t get to play, my old banjo.

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