The Thanksgiving Filter
Thanksgiving Chronicles: Family, Filters, and Gratitude
Lyrics
Grandmother's wheelchair is sitting in the corner
Grandmother's wheelchair is unused and positioned in a corner.
We all sure love her, but the little ones avoid her
Despite affection, younger family members avoid interacting with her due to her aged appearance.
'Cause she's gray-haired and wrinkled and her burden looks heavy
Her aged appearance seems burdensome, conveying the weight of her long life.
Ninety years of survival can look awful scary
The idea that living for ninety years can seem daunting or intimidating.
Papa's building something and has since history
The father figure has been consistently building something, possibly metaphorical.
But what he's building is still a mystery
The purpose of his construction remains unclear or mysterious.
It's big and it's twisting and shaped convoluted
Describing the ambiguous, complex, and intricate nature of what he's constructing.
It don't have a function but you better salute it
Despite lacking purpose, it demands respect or reverence.
And it will never be finished but I guess that's the point
It will remain perpetually unfinished, perhaps symbolizing the ongoing nature of personal projects or endeavors.
It just gives him a filter and psychological ointment
Despite its incomplete state, it serves as a coping mechanism for the father figure.
He woke up real early but he's late for his appointment
Despite waking early, the father figure is running late.
And I sure wish that I had smoked me a joint
The speaker expresses a wish for having used a substance to relax or ease tension.
It's Thanksgiving and Jesus, I'm thankful
Expressing gratitude for the blessings of abundance on Thanksgiving.
For abundance and bounty and a big tall stiff drink-full
Gratefulness for plenty and the availability of a strong alcoholic drink.
And the love of your mother and the love of mine too
Acknowledging the love of both their mother and the listener's mother.
Thanksgiving's almost over and Christmas is soon
Thanksgiving is ending, and attention is shifting toward Christmas.
Mama is trying to live in the present
The mother is trying to live in the present moment, despite stress about financial obligations.
Don't let him have a heart attack before I pay off the presents
Expressing concern about the father's health and the stress of paying for gifts.
Granddaddy's gone but she still feels his presence
Although the grandfather has passed away, his presence is felt by the grandmother.
He tried to call but he didn't leave a message
He tried to make contact but didn't communicate any meaningful message.
It's Thanksgiving and Jesus I'm thankful
Expressing gratitude to Jesus for Thanksgiving blessings.
So put the food on the table and Papa says a blessing
Preparing for the meal with a prayer or blessing led by the father figure.
They're cutting up some turkey and gobbling some dressing
Describing the traditional Thanksgiving meal of turkey and dressing being served.
My Aunt's praising Palin and my niece loves Obama
Family members have differing political affiliations, praising different figures.
My uncle came to dinner wearing his pajamas
An uncle arrives at dinner dressed unusually, wearing pajamas.
Thank God for the filter that enables some distance
Expressing gratitude for the emotional buffer or distance that allows coping with family tensions.
From the screaming and crying and the needs of assistance
Distancing oneself emotionally from familial stress, including arguments or requests for help.
You wonder why I drink and curse the holidays
Explaining personal reasons for drinking and feeling frustration during holidays.
Blessed be my family from three hundred miles away
Blessing or expressing gratitude for family members who are far away, possibly lessening stress.
It's Thanksgiving and Jesus I'm thankful
Reiterating gratitude to Jesus for blessings on Thanksgiving.
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