Calloused Hands from Jukebox Novella by Larry Dunn

Music has always been foremost in my life but it hasn't always paid the bills. Having spent more than a few years making an honest blue collar living, putting in my 5 days a week in various wood shops, a couple of factories, and remodeling and renovating San Francisco Victorians, I felt I was due to honor that time and those who've done or are doing similar work with a song. Now you've probably shaken hands with someone and known immediately from their grip that their work is hands on physical, hardened from a blue collar trade. I've often felt that you can get an idea of what someone does by the callouses, scars, and stains (or lack thereof ) on their hands. I'm also paying respect to the fact that the sweat of wholesome labor is rewarded with pride, satisfaction, hope, and sustenance.

Tracklist

1.	Calloused Hands	3:10

Lyrics

L Dunn ©2019

Verse
He wakes to the early morning train's bellow and moan
Rumbling through the flats over cross-tied rails
Rubs the sleep from his eyes, gets up and ready
To pound a day's worth of 16 penny nails

Chorus
His calloused hands, steady and strong
Are work hardened, weathered, and rough
Those calloused hands, his family depends on
Provide for the ones he loves
Those calloused hands

Verse
He heads out the door without fail, come rain or shine
Before dawn breaks across the eastern skyline
Turns the sweat of his brow into daily bread
The hand that swings the hammer keeps his family fed

Chorus

Bridge
Some have never known want
Their luck's a given
A life of plenty fills their gilded cup
While there's some that hold
A glass half full of hope
That work is salvation
It will provide
And fill the other half up

Chorus
His calloused hands, steady and strong
Are work hardened, weathered, and rough
Those calloused hands, his family depends on
Provide for the ones he loves
Those calloused hands
Those calloused hands

Credits

from Jukebox Novella, released August 19, 2019
Larry Dunn: guitar and vocals
Erik Pearson: banjo
Richard Saunders: upright bass
Pamela Rose: background vocal

License