I took a walk downtown, a stroll down the block

To see the great tower with the Grand Ole Clock

   As the bells rang from the Grand Ole Clock

I could see a man, a man in a box

   I watched the man as he held his cup up high

He jingled his change, as the people walked by

  His arm grew tired; He lowered it to the ground

Only to raise it when people are around

   I walked across the street, to say hello

I asked for his name, he said “I’m Joe”

   I said "What happened, what brought you here?"

He looked at me and said, while choked up with a tear

   “I lost a great job and then lost my spouse

I lost my car and then I lost my house”

   I listened to Joe, then a shiver went down my spine

I knew that voice, a voice from another time

   Joe was the man that came to me and said hello

When I lived in a box, one day long ago

   I had lost a great job and then I lost my spouse

I lost my car and then I lost my house

   Joe gave me a job, then I rose through the ranks

I lived in his home; With gratitude, I told him thanks

    Now, I said to Joe, "It’s me, your friend from long ago”

I said “I’m James, It’s time for us to go”

   He smiled and said wait, as he turned in his socks

He turned and tore off a piece of his box

   I gave him a job and Joe rose through the ranks

Joe lived in my home; he gave me a hug and said thanks

   God moves in ways, we will never understand

Let’s all look out, for fellow woman and man

   Joe framed that piece of his box; The frame was so fine

Then Joe came into my office and hung it right next to mine