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Grandpa's Cadillac

from A Very Fine Line by Andy Revkin

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about

A song about a grand old Cadillac and the transition to less splendid cars.

lyrics

Grandpa’s Cadillac Music & lyrics © Andrew Revkin

It pulled into the drive like a cruise ship into a dock.
All curves and chrome, swear it measured one or two blocks.

When it rounded a corner, looked to bend just like a snake.
Drove smooth and cool, like drinking a vanilla shake.

It was white as a tooth. Had fins to the sky.
The windows were Coke-bottle green.
My Grandpa’s Cadillac was one great shiny machine.

He bought it used, never owned a new car in his life.
Treated that Caddy almost like it was a second wife.

When he washed it he’d circle like a sculptor ‘round a marble bust.
Searching for dings or dull spots or, God forbid, rust.

It was white as a tooth. Had fins to the sky.
The windows were Coke-bottle green.
My Grandpa’s Cadillac was one great shiny machine.

He kept it running as long as he could but it was finally time.
Traded in that ’59 and got himself a used ’69.

Gone were the curves. Gone were the fins.
Streamlined was out. Square was in.

Now a Cadillac was just another kind of car –
Nothing special, not a work of art…

Not like that ’59 with fins to the sky
and windows all Coke-bottle green….

My Grandpa’s Cadillac...
My Grandpa’s Cadillac…
My Grandpa’s Cadillac was one great shiny machine.

credits

from A Very Fine Line, released November 28, 2013
Grandpa’s Cadillac features Joe Johnson on electric guitar, Art Labriola on pedal steel guitar and Joel Diamond on keyboards. Also playing are Al Hemberger on bass, Eric Starr on drums and yours truly on guitar.

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about

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Andy Revkin Lamoine, Maine

Best known for his environmental journalism and books, Andy Revkin has long been a performing songwriter (here seen on the Clearwater; photo by Susan English).

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