I Bought that ranch, sight unseen, I got a deal
Basement knee-deep in sewage, that’s when it got real
Electric panel drowning, I’m standing there in shock
Drove next door to my neighbor, said “Who you got?”
He looked at me and grinned, said “I PREFER
You use Dan - he’s an old timer, that’s for sure
Sixty-four and still working, tougher than they come”
I called that number, didn’t know what I’d begun
Dan showed up that morning in his worn-out truck
Looked at me, looked at the mess, said “Son, you’re outta luck”
Got me out of that shit, treated me fair and square
Charged me honest money, fixed it with time to spare
Next Saturday morning, didn’t even call
Just showed up at my door, said “That beam in the barn might fall
Can’t just sit there writing, come on, let’s get er done”
I grabbed my tools, he shook his head - “Oh son…”
Twenty-two years of Saturday mornings
Shaking his head at how I hold a drill
Takes the tools right out of my hands
Says “It’s hard to watch, let me at it”
Twenty-two years of doing it right
Then a beer when the work is through
He never says what it means to show up
But I know, and he knows I know it too
I’m a Wall Street guy turned philosopher fool
He a businessman who knows to use a tool
Electrician farmer’s heart and lover of the way
I write ‘bout wisdom, he lives it every day
Shows more in silence than my books could say
My city friends, they wouldn’t understand
This kind of friendship, built with working hands
Some discuss wisdom over coffee cup
Dan illustrates the sages by showing up
Twenty-two years of Saturday mornings
Shaking his head at how I hold a drill
Takes the tools right out of my hands
Says “It’s hard to watch, let me at it”
Twenty-two years of doing it right
Then a beer when the work is through
He never says what it means to show up
But I know, and he knows I know it too
Last time they stopped to visit
Had to say goodbye too soon
Watched them walk away at the dock
If I weren’t a guy, I would admit
Felt a teer somewhere in my heart
He buried both his sons, carries that alone
In a cold community, but he’s never shown
What it costs to keep on showing up
To keep on being the man that people trust
They say men of that generation
Don’t know how to say what they feel
But Dan teach them better…
You don’t say it, you just show up
With your tools and your truck
For twenty-two years
And counting