Drive

It was painted red the stripe was white
It was eighteen feet from the bow to the stern light
Secondhand from a dealer in Atlanta
I rode up with daddy when he went there to get her
We put on a shine; put on a motor
Built out of love, made for the water
Ran her for years, 'til the transom got rotten
A piece of my childhood that will never be forgotten

It was just on old plywood boat
With a '75 Johnson with electric choke
A young boy two hands on the wheel
I can't replace the way it made me feel
And I would turn her sharp
And I would make her whine
He'd say, "you can't beat the way an old wood boat rides"
Just a little lake across the Alabama line
But I was king of the ocean
When daddy let me drive

Just an old half ton shortbed ford
My uncle bought new in '64
Daddy got it right 'cause the engine was smoking
A couple of burnt valves and he had it going
He let me drive her when we'd haul off a load
Down a dirt strip where we'd dump trash off of Thigpen Road
I'd sit up in the seat and stretch my feet out to the pedals
Smiling like a hero that just received his medal

It was just an old hand-me-down Ford
With a three-speed on the column and a dent in the door
A young boy two hands on the wheel
I can¡¦t replace the way it mode me feel
And I would press that clutch
And I would keep it right
And he'd say, "a little slower son you're doing just fine"
Just a dirt road with trash on each side
But I was Mario Andretti
When daddy let me drive

I'm grown up now three daughters of my own
I let them drive my old Jeep across the pasture at our home
Maybe one day they'll reach back in their file
And pull out that old memory
And think of me and smile and say

It was just an old worn out Jeep
Rusty old floorboard, hot on my feet
A young girl two hands on the wheel
I can't replace the way it made me feel
And he'd say, "turn it left and steer it right,
Straighten up girl, you're doing just fine"
Just a little valley by the river where we'd ride
But I was high on a mountain
When daddy let me drive

When daddy let me drive

Oh he let me drive

Daddy let me drive

It's just an old plywood boat
With a '75 Johnson with electric choke


"When Daddy Let Me Drive" is another of my favorites, sung by Alan Jackson. This is the song I'd like to dance to with my father on my wedding, many years from now after I find Mr. Right. This song has strong meaning to me, as I'm currently being taught to drive by my father in what was my Poppy's, Daddy's father's, truck. Poppy was special to me, and this song also reminds me of him. He stood by me through some of my hardest times as a child, and I believe he'd be proud for me to drive his beloved Chevy truck.
    Back on track, this song has come to mean more than learning how to drive a truck; also how to drive through life. Being instructed by your parents isn't the easiest thing to swallow, I know. However, years later, you'll come across some memoir-a picture, a drive by a former house, a visit to a loved one's grave, or a song on the radio; suddenly, you'll understand why way back then your daddy did this, or your momma told you that. It'll make sense, especially if it doesn't now, and you'll come to cherish that memory, cherish the thought of how much they loved you in order to instruct and/or guide you in the ways you should go. They're teaching you to drive through life, how to manage the storms and the sleet, how not to speed through moments, how to move on after a set-back or accident, whatever it may be. Right now, Daddy's teaching me to drive-in more ways than one. I love him very much for that, and Momma too. We've had our go-rounds, but I believe we're stronger, closer, and better because of them. My parents have stood by me through so many things, and I often take them for granted, forget how important and special they truly are.
     Things aren't always easy in this life, and I'm learning new things each day as I mature and grow. God also helps us take the Drive of Life, and teaches us many things no one else can, and is the greatest help and comfort in a time of need.
     For now, there are things I don't and may never understand. However, I'm placing in God's hands, and I'm letting Him Drive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQe3DKDQRRs
-Simply Jen