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I remember that day when you said, "don't cry" "For I'll see you by and by" But that didn't sink in and I still remember you now and again How all the friends use to drop by just to see Mr. Ben They always knew he would have a cold dipper of water And some watermelons under the porch that he had grown down in the holler There was usually a grandchild or two hanging around Shelling peas or pitching washers out on the stomp ground You see for miles around he was known as Mr. Ben But he was my granddaddy and I miss him more now than then He didn't have medals or fight in world wars But in my eyes he was like a great eagle and my how he could soar He was farmer and blacksmith by trade You could see him doing one or the other every day Every Saturday he would go to the local mercantile in town Where he and several friends would gather around Every Sunday you could find him at the local church Always dressed in his best khaki shirt He taught me valuable things about life How to hunt a deer and sharpen a knife He could tan a cowhide and make it soft and limber Or he could teach you how to select a good load of timber He loved for me to drive him around in the car Even though I wasn't allowed to drive very far I remember the day he passed away I sat in his blacksmith shop where he and I spent many a day You see for miles around he was known as Mr. Ben But he was my granddaddy and I miss him more now than then ©Gerald Powell November 2004 Used With Permission All Rights Reserved By Author Mail















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