DESCRIPTION:
I went to work with Daddy from the time that I could walk
And I watched him building houses long before I learned to talk
He made me my own hammer that I carried all the time
And I'd build with the scrap lumber I could find

Daddy was a framer, he used sixteen penny nails
He bought in wooden kegs downtown at Humphrey's General Sales
Never used an apron, he just held 'em in his teeth
Said it made 'em easier to reach

My Daddy called 'em sixteen-penny candy
Said he loved to feel the nails between his teeth
I'd bring along my hammer and he'd grin real big and hand me
Sixteen-penny candy just for me

By fourteen I was framing houses right there at his side
I never got as good as Dad, but I think he knows I tried
Between us we could do the work of several other men
And I guess I learned it all from watching him

But Daddy was only 50 when Mama called me late one night
By then it had been ten years since Daddy lost his sight
I'd spent those ten years building homes like Daddy taught me to
The only job that I know how to do

As I stepped in his room I saw this was near the end
And I hold my Daddy closer than I hold my dearest friend
I knew that he was fading but I hoped that he could hear
So I hugged him tight and whispered in his ear

Dad I still call 'em sixteen-penny candy
And I love to feel the nails between my teeth
Remember how I'd toddle up and you'd grin real big and hand me
Sixteen-penny candy just for me


©PERFECTLY STABLE MUSIC / ASCAP
Words & music by C.Daniel Boling