The Thanksgiving Filter

Grandmother's wheelchair is sitting in the corner
We all sure love her, but the little ones avoid her
Cause she's gray-haired and wrinkled and her burden looks heavy
Ninety years of survival can look awful scary

Papa's building something and has since history
But what he's building is still a mystery
It's big and it's twisting and shaped convoluted
It don't have a function but you better salute it

And it will never be finished but I guess that's the point
It just gives him a filter and psychological ointment
He woke up real early but he's late for his appointment
And I sure wish that I had smoked me a joint

It's Thanksgiving and Jesus, I'm thankful
For abundance and bounty and a big tall stiff drink-full
And the love of your Mama and the love of mine too
Thanksgiving's almost over and Christmas is soon

Mama is trying to live in the present
Don't let him have a heart attack before I pay off the presents
Granddaddy's gone but she still feels his presence
He tried to call but he didn't leave a message

It's Thanksgiving and Jesus I'm thankful
For abundance and bounty and a big tall stiff drink-full
And the love of your Mama and the love of mine too
Thanksgiving's almost over and Christmas is soon

So put the food on the table and Papa says a blessing
They're cutting up some turkey and gobbling some dressing
My Aunt's praising Palin and my niece loves Obama
My uncle came to dinner wearing his pajamas

Thank God for the filter that enables some distance
From the screaming and crying and the needs of assistance
You wonder why I drink and curse the holidays
Blessed be my family from 300 miles away

It's Thanksgiving and Jesus I'm thankful
For abundance and bounty and a big tall stiff drink-full
And the love of your Mama and the love of mine too
Thanksgiving's is over and Christmas is soon