Oct. 7, 2007 - Family Table
It's been a very busy month full of so many moments worth putting down in writing (or typing, as the case may be). However, the moments have left little time for anything but living them. So for now, I wanted to share the lyrics of a beautiful song I heard recently:
THE OLD FAMILY TABLE
By: Tom T. Hall (BMI)
Dixie Hall (BMI)
CHORUS: THE OLD FAMILY TABLE WHERE THE HUNGRY ALWAYS CAME
IT'S BEEN THROUGH ALL THE GOOD TIMES THE HAPPINESS AND PAIN
AS THE CHILDREN WENT AWAY THEY WOULD ALL LOOK BACK AND SAY
SAVE MY PLACE AT THE OLD FAMILY TABLE
VERSE 1: EVERY NIGHT AT SUPPER TIME WE ALL HELD HANDS TO PRAY
WE TOOK OUT A LEAF EACH TIME A LOVED ONE WENT AWAY
THE TABLE IS MUCH SHORTER AND SO MANY LEAVES ARE GONE
IF IT COULD TALK THIS TABLE COULD TELL STORIES ON AND ON
VERSE 2: THE FIRST LEAF THAT WE TOOK OUT WAS FOR LITTLE BABY JOE
WHY GOD PERMITS SUCH THINGS TO HAPPEN ONLY HEAVEN KNOWS
WE PUT HIM IN A PINE BOX AND WE LAID HIM IN THE CLAY
AND WE WEPT AROUND THE FAMILY TABLE ON THAT AWFUL DAY
VERSE 3: WHEN THE GIRLS GOT MARRIED THEY WERE SO PROUD OF THEIR RINGS
WE SAT AROUND THE TABLE PLANNING WEDDINGS IN THE SPRING
WE PUT AWAY ANOTHER LEAF WHEN ANDY WENT TO WAR
NOBODY KNEW HOW MANY SLEEPLESS NIGHTS WE WALKED THE FLOOR
VERSE 4: SO MANY ELBOWS RESTED THERE UPON THAT WOODEN PLAIN
IT'S DOUBTFUL THAT THE WORLD WILL EVER SEE IT'S LIKE AGAIN
THE OLD FAMILY TABLE SCARRED AND WEATHERED TO THE EYE
WILL BE OUR FAMILY TABLE IN OUR HOME UP IN THE SKY
I am so very thankful that God has gifted us with the need for a leaf in our family table! It would be my sheer joy to need a leaf (or 2!!!!) in my family table for years to come! Squeeze those around your table a little tighter today, enjoy their sweet presence a little more and linger there, at the family table, a little longer today.
Comments
Oct. 7, 2007 - Yes!
Posted by Phyllis
"so many moments worth putting down in writing (or typing, as the case may be). However, the moments have left little time for anything but living them." My sentiments exactly! I want to keep every moment, but for now I'm having to treasure them up in my heart. No time to write!
Jun. 20, 2008 - Family Table
Posted by azhorntoad
Amazing! i have been looking for the lyrics to Family Table
and found them on your blog. also, i didn’t know Tom T. Hall
wrote the song as i have only heard an old-timey version on
a religious radio station i occasionally listen to here in Alabama.
thank you.
