Uncle Bill

UNCLE BILL WOULD PLAY

By Drew Foskey

Verse 1

Uncle Bill was an Army vet,

He’d seen his share of war.

Drove a big rig, had some bad luck,

But kept comin’ back for more.

He didn’t have much to his name,

But what he had, he’d freely give.

Taught us kids with a quiet hand

How real men live.

Verse 2

Had an old flat-top, strings worn thin,

Dark wood, smooth and warm.

But when he picked it up to play,

We felt reborn with every chord.

He’d strum out old-time gospel,

Some country, and delta blues—

But nothin’ ever rang so true

As them mountain drops of dew.

Chorus

It was Rocky Top, I Saw the Light,

Sunny Side of the Mountain high—

We’d clap along, we’d close our eyes,

Then we’d all fly away.

Ain’t nothin’ sweeter than old-time music

When Uncle Bill would pick and play.

Verse 3

He loved God, and he loved his kin,

Worked hard with calloused hands.

Stood tall the way he lived—

Helping out his fellow man.

He’d take us fishin’ down at the creek,

Cruisin’ in that old Gremlin car,

Then pack us up on Friday night,

Goin’ campin’ beneath the stars.

Bridge

Now that flat-top’s leanin’ silent

In the corner of my den,

But I still hear that mountain echo

Every time I lift it, think of him.

He passed along more than a song—

He passed down soul and clay.

And I swear I feel him smilin’

When I pick it up and play.

Final Chorus (Reprise)

It was Rocky Top, I Saw the Light,

Sunny Side of the Mountain high—

Now I play those songs at night,

And I still fly away.

Ain’t nothin’ sweeter than old-time music

When Uncle Bill would pick and play.