He's drinking rum and coke out there on the veranda
With his straw hat and cane he looks like a correspondent
Got his guitar at his side in case that lost chord comes drifting by
Humming a tune while the sun sets on the horizon

Been almost an hour since his cigar burned out
Watching the grandkids play on the beach what a turnout
He knew they'd all be coming by it's like clockwork every 4th of July
Time for one more rum and coke while the shadows stretch out

He was a traveling minstrel man on the road forever
Never made the big time but he always delivered
He played his guitar and sang one night stands Oregon to Maine
Settled in Florida on a new beach endeaver

And when it seems like providence
Grandpa says it's just common sense
To see all the grandkids again before they scatter
They go their separate ways
While grandpa starts counting the days
With another rum and coke on the veranda