Henry Sings 'The Old Man'

November 2010:
Our friend Henry (who, in theory, is just a normal farmer, not a professional singer) sings Phil Coulter's "The Old Man" at the cabin.

He really wowed us the moment he started, and we started video and audio recorders almost immediately, and tried our best to stay quiet in spite of his desire for us to join him for the chorus. I think we all knew it was a very, very beautiful moment. Poor Dan was sick and suffering but you can still see Dan and Jeff smiling ear to ear, and Dan rocking gently in the chair, and all of us listening carefully to this gorgeously raw moment.

The lyrics follow below the video.

The tears have all been shed now
We've said our last goodbyes
His souls been blessed
He's laid to rest
And it´s now I feel alone
He was more than just a father
A teacher, my best friend
He can still be heard
In the tunes we shared
When I sing them on my own

Chorus:
I never will forget him
For he made me what I am
Though he may be gone
Memories linger on
And I miss him, the old man

He used to take me walking
By mountain, field and stream
And he showed me things
not known to kings
And secrets between him and me
Like the colors of the pheasant
As he rises in the dawn
And how to fish and make a wish
Beside the holly tree

[Chorus]

I thought he'd live forever
He seemed so big and strong
But the minutes fly
And the years roll by
For a father and a son
Then suddenly when it happened
There was so much left unsaid
No second chance
To tell him thanks
For everything he's done

[Chorus]