SMILE

we always seemed so young…til suddenly we were not
brothers, sisters, mom and dad…the whole big lot
as we scattered then gathered together back again
preparing ourselves for our second wind.

we remember all hands folded ready to say grace
each and every one of us is in our narrow little place
never let on there’s a loose tooth on the edge of your gums
Cause that dentist’s work, well, it’s never done

CHORUS: smile, it’s what we all got from him
smile for the camera and let it smile back again
smile for the slides and the prints and the film
It’s how we’ll remember him

there were ten of us at one time- now we’re down to six
brand new additions add life into the mix
face forward for the portrait we hear the camera click.
deep in hearts we hear life’s clock tock tick

CHORUS: smile even though we are aching inside
smile side by side by side
smile no matter the shape we’re in
record the moment then begin again

A mouth full of big teeth, silver hair and dark eyes
as the wind hits over the starboard side
and though the pain of loss is still right there
we can smell the river in the thick morning air

CHORUS: smile, it’s what we all got from him
smile for the camera and let it smile back again
smile for the slides and the prints and the film
that’s how we’ll remember him

REPEAT CHORUS