My grandmother is 97 years old and still kickin' - and still a great story teller. I called her the other day and as we talked, she just kept mentioning memories of grandpa. I know she's lonely for him. He died 11 years ago, and she still sleeps on the couch - unable to return to the bedroom they shared for 70+ years. Anyway, the thoughts and memories she left me with when we hung up the phone led me to write this song ...

The House Built By Ruth

When I was just a young boy, I dreamed a young boy’s dream
of growing up and playing ball in the major leagues.
I was going to be a star because in my heart I knew
I’d play for the Yankees in the House Built by Ruth.

When I told my dream to Grandpa, he smiled and scratched his head.
Then, with a twinkle in his eyes, he looked at me and said,
‘Now boy just look around this place and tell me what you see.
‘Cause everything around here was built by Ruth and me.

We laid the foundation and nailed in every board.
Put shingles up there on the roof and tile down on the floor.
It’s okay to have a dream, son, sometimes dreams come true.
For years you’ve been playing in the house, the house built by Ruth.

You see son, I was just a cowboy, fresh off Montana’s range.
Didn’t know much of baseball, but I sure loved your grandmas’ swing.
And I knew I’d made quite a catch when I stole her heart away,
so we ran off together and got married to stay.

Now times were lean, so life was hard. When you start that young they often are,
but time just kept marching on, and soon your mama came along.
Then your aunt and uncle joined us too and we ran out of room.
So we did what young couples do, we bought this land and started to …

Lay the foundation and nail in every board
Put shingles up there on the roof and tile down on the floor.
It’s okay to have a dream, sometimes dreams come true.
For years you’ve been playing in the house, the house built by Ruth.

He said ‘I couldn’t do it by myself. I always needed Grandma’s help,
so floor to ceiling, and wall to wall, this house was built with love because …

We laid the foundation and nailed in every board.
Put shingles up there on the roof and tile down on the floor.
It’s okay to have a dream, son, sometimes dreams come true.
For years you’ve been playing in the house, the house built by Ruth.

I guess everyone has their dreams, and both our dreams came true,
‘cause for years you’ve been playing in the house, the house built by Ruth.
in the house, the house built by Ruth.

The band is entirely Biab:

Drums: Brian Fullen, _YAZOO.STY
Bass: Craig Nelson, _YAZOO.STY
Finger pick guitar: Jason Roller, _YAZOO.STY
Cello: Matt Nelson, _ROAM.STY
Mandolla: Andy Leftwich, _ROAM.STY
Lead Guitar: Brent Mason, _NYGEORG.STY

If you choose to give it a listen all comments are welcome. Once again this song comes from a personal point of view, so I'm not sure if the connection is strong enough between the house that Ruth built and my Grandma Ruth, or if it's too personal to be very appealing. This is my first attempt at using a cello, so I'm a little unsure of it and it's volume, and I struggled with the volume level of the bass as well. So all your thoughts, specific or generic are welcomed. Brad

https://soundcloud.com/user-722422510/tracks