Grandma Whistled

Tom T. Hall · The Storyteller [Mercury] [1972]

(Tom T. Hall)



Everybody has their music that they like to sing and play

Everybody had a song they like to sing along life's way

I have never heard my favorite music on the radio

For my song was silenced many years ago.



I can see my grandma sittin' on the front porch with a churn

Her face was brown and wrinkled from the lessons she had learned

Sometimes when I'm tired and weary I can hear that music yet

Grandma whistlin' "What A Friend We Have In Jesus."



--- Whistles ---



Well, us younger folks were known for all the hell that we could raise

I must admit we had some good times in the good old days

Wake up in the early morning and sometimes my head would hurt

But my grandma always whistled while she worked.



Now there's folk and rock'n roll and country music all around

And that modern gospel singing makes a mighty pretty sound

But the sweetest sound of all is in my memory I guess

Grandma whistlin' "What A Friend We Have In Jesus."



--- Whistles ---



They say some girls can't whistle but my grandma really could

In those old Kentucky hard times oh it sounded awfully good

With a song to pass the time with and the love she had for me

She will live forever in my memory.



Now they say that they have music in that home beyond the sky

Now there's one song I'll request if I should get there by and by

Well, there may be many singing but I know who'll be the best

Grandma whistlin' "What A Friend We Have In Jesus..."



--- Whistles to fade ---

About Grandma Whistled

Tom T. Hall's "Grandma Whistled," featured on his 1972 Mercury release *The Storyteller*, stands as a quintessential example of his mastery of the American folk tradition. The song captures the intimate, nostalgic voice of the storyteller, blending traditional ballad structures with Hall's signature blend of humor and heart. Recorded during a pivotal era for acoustic storytelling, the track exemplifies the genre's focus on personal narrative and generational memory. Hall's discography is defined by such works, which often explore themes of family, loss, and the passage of time with lyrical precision. This recording reflects his commitment to preserving the spirit of early 20th-century folk music while injecting it with his unique, conversational delivery. The song remains a staple in the catalog of artists who prioritize authentic storytelling over polished production, cementing Hall's legacy as a master of the acoustic narrative.