The Key to Life

(Vince Gill)



I'd love to hear my daddy play once again

All the songs that he taught me when I was a kid

John Henry Old Shep and Faded love

I Fall To Pieces and on the Wings Of A Dove.



Just a few chords on the banjo that was all he knew

but in the eyes of a child man his fingers flew

I practiced and I practiced till I got it right

Packed up everything and just took off one night.



--- Instrumental ---



I made it from the beer joints to the Opry stage

He said the only difference is what you're gettin' paid

He didn't care that everybody knew my name

He said it's all for nothin' if you don't stay the same.



And when he died the preacher cried said he's the lucky one

He's walkin' hand in hand with God's only son

My faith and common sense tell me the preacher's right

But I'd love to hear the banjo ring for me tonight.



I will honor my father with these words I write down

And as long as I remember him he'll always be around

And the pain of losing him cuts like a Randall knife

I learned a few chords on the banjo was the key to life.



Yeah the pain of losing him cuts like a Randall knife

I learned a few chords on the banjo was the key to life.



--- Instrumental to fade ---