Grandpa’s Brass Knuckles

Lyrics

[Verse 1] He got suspenders on, but he don’t play Bingo on Tuesday, bodies on payday Grandma says, “Baby, he’s a sweetheart still” Then he folds a shirt like he folding steel Cane in his hand, got chrome in the sock Feed the koi fish, then he circle the block Old Ford truck with a dent in the door Seatbelt tucked on a sawed-off roar He got a tattoo faded on his forearm Says “one love,” but he bring the alarms Walks in the diner, whole room gets still One eyebrow up like, “Who got the bill?” [Pre-Chorus] He grins, gold tooth glow Says, “Move, kid, let it go” Pepper in the gumbo Sweet on the surface, cold below [Chorus] Gangster grandpa, don’t start none Gangster grandpa, don’t need one He waves that cane like “back up, son” Gangster grandpa, yeah, he got fun Gangster grandpa, check the drip Rosary beads and a heavy lip Gangster grandpa, old-school king He’ll nap all day, then run the ring [Verse 2] He got a glove box full of old receipts And a black comb over like a back-alley beast Tells me stories with a poker face How he won a chess match in a barroom place He taught me manners and a perfect jab How to tip your hat and how to skip a tab Says, “Never panic when the world gets loud” Then he shuffles in like the head of the crowd At the reunion, he’s the life of the room Three-piece suit with a floral bloom He steals the drumsticks from the young guy band Then he air-guitars with a smoker’s hand [Bridge] [Spoken] Listen here, pal I paid my dues Now pass the pie And shine these shoes [Breakdown] He’s got charm, he’s got teeth He’s a saint with a sneer underneath He’s got style, he’s got heat He makes trouble look neat [Final Chorus] Gangster grandpa, don’t start none Gangster grandpa, don’t need one He waves that cane like “back up, son” Gangster grandpa, yeah, he got fun Gangster grandpa, check the drip Rosary beads and a heavy lip Gangster grandpa, old-school king He’ll nap all day, then run the ring Gangster grandpa, say it loud Gangster grandpa, makes us proud Gangster grandpa, one more time He’ll take your fries, then pay the fine