Derek Mahon - Grandfather lyrics

They brought him in on a stretcher from the world, Wounded but humorous; and he soon recovered. Boiler-rooms, row upon row of gantries rolled Away to reveal the landscape of a childhood Only he can recapture. Even on cold Mornings he is up at six with a block of wood Or a box of nails, discreetly up to no good Or banging round the house like a four-year-old - Never there when you call. But after dark You hear his great boots thumping in the hall And in he comes, as cute as they come. Each night His shrewd eyes bolt the door and set the clock Against the future, then his light goes out. Nothing escapes him; he escapes us all.