Black Keys

Backstory

I grew up listening to my Grandpa Phil play the piano. In later years, my Grandma Velma suffered from Alzheimer’s and I watched him suffer through that with her. I’ve always felt a kinship with Grandpa Phil and can’t help but think that some of my love for music came from him. The piano playing at the end of this song is an old recording of him playing an original composition.

Lyrics

I saw you hang your head once or twice
But I never saw you break
Until she looked into your eyes that summer night
And she could not recall your name

It pulled you down
But you worked it out
On the black keys
With old, sweet melodies

When it pulled you down
You'd pound it out
On the black keys
With old, sweet melodies
Long lost melodies

You saw me hang my head in the night
But you wouldn't let me break
All those Sunday evenings by your side
I knew you loved me just the same

I'm feeling down
I hear the sound
Of the black keys
Those old, sweet melodies
Those long-lost melodies

Woke up this morning with you on my mind
So close I hear you in my ear
Something brought you back to me
I'd recognize that voice anywhere

When I'm feeling down
I work it out
On the steel strings
With old, sweet melodies

It pulls me out
I shout it out
Over steel strings
With newfound melodies
And long lost melodies

In your memory