What Did that Handshake Mean words by Renee Nekos
I was sittin’ in the back
of my daddy's 86 Ford
When we saw a family
On the side of the road
My daddy pulled over
and he fixed their flat
Then he shook the man's hand
and then daddy came back
Yeah, I said "hey Daddy…
what did that handshake mean”
He smiled and looked back at me
“It meant thank you for what I needed
won’t forget what you did for me”
Later that day at the store
My daddy saw a man
that he used to know
And he said “hello”
He introduced me, then said
“now boy put out your hand”
“shake with Mr. Kinney like a man”
Yeah, shake hands like a man
I said "hey Daddy…
what did that handshake mean”
He smiled and looked back at me
“It meant your now a man
Who keeps his word
And always takes a stand
Down the road, on my wedding day
I stood there in waiting
As they walked my way
when they reached the alter
she smiled so sweet at me
Her father held out his hand
and gave her away, to me……
Now as I shook his hand
I saw my daddy smile
Because she was now mine
to protect and love as new
I’d keep my word to always be true
True yessir, always true…
A few more years down the road
she smiled and said its time to go
the doctor walked out with a pearl
and handed me my baby girl
Then when I shook his hand
it tugged at my heart strings
I’d protect her from all things
We stood there in the hall
Silent and solemnly
Waiting for the judge to say
what our new life would be
Then we shook hands
And parted ways
I knew this shake was different
I didn’t feel like a man
So, remember next time
you put out your hand
that shake means something
Whether it’s small or grand
