Handful of Songs

(Jerry Rasmussen)

Cathy - banjo, vocal; Dave - guitar, vocal; Ed Trickett - vocal; Dave Wilson - fiddle

Jerry included this on a tape of his songs he sent to us almost 10 years ago. We were right proud to record it with him as the title cut for his album in 1989. It has been a favorite of ours and our audiences since then.

All that I have is my grandfather's hammer
And his old railroad watch with the casing all worn,
And the bible my grandmother bout her last Christmas
That she gave to my mother; now she's passed it on.

Some may leave money from a lifetime of savings
Some just their name on a marble stone
It's not what you leave, it's the joy of remembering,
And all I can leave you is a handful of songs.

Some may leave stories well-tuned in the telling;
Some may leave jokes that can still make you laugh;
Some may leave lessons hard in the learning;
Some, just a smile in an old photograph.

How many days slip away without notice?
How many friends have you lost on the way?
And how many good times are taken for granted
And only remembered when they're passed away?