I was just a long-haired kid

Going door to door

When a man looked up from well-worn tools 

And met me half way ‘cross the floor

I said I’d start anywhere

He handed me a broom and said “Well, you can start right there”

 

And I thanked the man who gave me my first job

Put a tool in my hands and gave this kid a chance

And I know that I could never do enough

Down through the years

To thank the man who gave me my first job

 

Years went by, and slowly I

Grew up as he grew old

The good man kept me by his side

And taught me everything I know

And all along I knew that I’d been blessed

But time is just a thief that steals the ones we love the best

I stood up to speak as he was laid to rest

 

And I thanked the man who gave my first job

Put the tools in my hand that made me what I am

And I know that I could never do enough

Down through the years

To thank the man who gave me my first job

 

Then today a kid came in

Dirty shirt, darker skin

But he said that he’d start anywhere

And it hit me then and there

 

How to thank the man who gave me my first job

I put a tool in his hands and gave that kid a chance

Still I know that I could never do enough

Down through the years

To thank the man who gave me my first job

 

I was just a long-haired kid

Going door to door . . . .

​

Richard Kriehn, Guitar, Strings, and Bass

Pete Johnson, Drums

Tim O'Brien, Piano and Vocals

Steve Kaul, Recording Engineer

Recorded at Wild Sound Studio, Minneapolis

​

Copyright Tim O'Brien, all rights reserved