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My grandmother is 97 years old and still kickin' - and still a great story teller. I called her the other day and as we talked, she just kept mentioning memories of grandpa. I know she's lonely for him. He died 11 years ago, and she still sleeps on the couch - unable to return to the bedroom they shared for 70+ years. Anyway, the thoughts and memories she left me with when we hung up the phone led me to write this song ...

The House Built By Ruth

When I was just a young boy, I dreamed a young boy’s dream
of growing up and playing ball in the major leagues.
I was going to be a star because in my heart I knew
I’d play for the Yankees in the House Built by Ruth.

When I told my dream to Grandpa, he smiled and scratched his head.
Then, with a twinkle in his eyes, he looked at me and said,
‘Now boy just look around this place and tell me what you see.
‘Cause everything around here was built by Ruth and me.

We laid the foundation and nailed in every board.
Put shingles up there on the roof and tile down on the floor.
It’s okay to have a dream, son, sometimes dreams come true.
For years you’ve been playing in the house, the house built by Ruth.

You see son, I was just a cowboy, fresh off Montana’s range.
Didn’t know much of baseball, but I sure loved your grandmas’ swing.
And I knew I’d made quite a catch when I stole her heart away,
so we ran off together and got married to stay.

Now times were lean, so life was hard. When you start that young they often are,
but time just kept marching on, and soon your mama came along.
Then your aunt and uncle joined us too and we ran out of room.
So we did what young couples do, we bought this land and started to …

Lay the foundation and nail in every board
Put shingles up there on the roof and tile down on the floor.
It’s okay to have a dream, sometimes dreams come true.
For years you’ve been playing in the house, the house built by Ruth.

He said ‘I couldn’t do it by myself. I always needed Grandma’s help,
so floor to ceiling, and wall to wall, this house was built with love because …

We laid the foundation and nailed in every board.
Put shingles up there on the roof and tile down on the floor.
It’s okay to have a dream, son, sometimes dreams come true.
For years you’ve been playing in the house, the house built by Ruth.

I guess everyone has their dreams, and both our dreams came true,
‘cause for years you’ve been playing in the house, the house built by Ruth.
in the house, the house built by Ruth.

The band is entirely Biab:

Drums: Brian Fullen, _YAZOO.STY
Bass: Craig Nelson, _YAZOO.STY
Finger pick guitar: Jason Roller, _YAZOO.STY
Cello: Matt Nelson, _ROAM.STY
Mandolla: Andy Leftwich, _ROAM.STY
Lead Guitar: Brent Mason, _NYGEORG.STY

If you choose to give it a listen all comments are welcome. Once again this song comes from a personal point of view, so I'm not sure if the connection is strong enough between the house that Ruth built and my Grandma Ruth, or if it's too personal to be very appealing. This is my first attempt at using a cello, so I'm a little unsure of it and it's volume, and I struggled with the volume level of the bass as well. So all your thoughts, specific or generic are welcomed. Brad

Not sure if the connection is strong enough ??
Brad, this is great all around, great lyrics, great band, great vocals.

"Didn’t know much of baseball, but I sure loved your grandmas’ swing."

PS> Cherish each moment with your grandmother.

Brad,
Smooth story telling tune. Well sung and arranged! Mixed and listens very well, no issues with "volumes" at all. Thank you for sharing.
Misha.

P.S. My grandma is 97 too. Just spoke to her today.

Read your lyrics first. I got the connection right away, even before I read where you mentioned "Grandma Ruth."

Good work! I hope you play this for her.

I'd bring up the cello a hair.

This is so cool, Brad. Man, I hope you played this for Ruth. When I read the title I thought of the Babe, of course, but figured it would be a punny story. You did an amazing job of building the metaphor. So perfect. I really like that you write personally. I'm beginning to love your whole family. I enjoyed this so so much.

Hi Brad
This is an excellent song
Great sung
A great band
And such a beautiful lyric with a really great story
Excellent work Brad
Many greetings
Andi ;-)

This sounds like a happy song, although what you tell about your grandma is somewhat sad.
But we guess that is how you felt after having spoken with her on the phone.

What a wonderful thing if she can give you this feeling!

Rob and Anne-Marie

Brad...I know I've said this before but you sure can tell a story brother...man what a cool song...I LOVE the hook and the style you chose to tell the story with...I know you like those kickin' country songs but you nailed this one perfectly...great arrangement of the band and use of BiaB...I really like the placement of the solo instruments...man this is Americana at its best...though none of us have had this exact experience we all get it and appreciate it and love hearing the story...cause we all have a grandma (or two)...very sweet story and delivered so well!

Excellent write - clear and easy to hear.

You've got a nice conversational style here. I'm not fond of the line "married to stay" because - unlike the rest of what your wrote - it doesn't sound like what someone would say. But I don't know the folks that you know.

Although the song is personal, it works well without having to know the back story.

I think it's fine as-is. Not necessarily "commercial", but certainly a good song.

Thanks for listening and giving your thoughts Bass Thumper. I'd played it for my wife before I posted this, and neither of us were sure the connection was tight enough. She knew I used to be pretty big on baseball, but nobody else would.

Misha, thanks for giving it a spin. We've been fortunate to know our grandparents for so long. My grandmother is now a great-great grandmother, and that's kind of neat. I hope you have some great conversations with your grandmother too!

Thanks for the feedback Scott. I haven't played it for her yet, I wanted to run it by all of you folks first for suggestions. I'll add a little umph to the cello and then send it along to her. Thanks again.

Hah, Marty! Thanks for the listen and comment, but it's easier to love my whole family when they never gave YOU a whoopin! Ah, but truly - I gave 'em all a good runnin for their money in my younger days. Patience with me was probably their strongest virtue.

Thank you for giving it a try Andi, I appreciate your thoughts.

Rob and Anne-Marrie, yeah it's a knife that cuts both ways. My grandmother can be very upbeat and funny, but she sometimes feels pretty lonely for all the friends and family that are no longer here. Thanks for listening.

Thank you Dan. My hope someday is to become a writer and producer with your talent. You set a high bar brother.

Thank you for the thoughts David. Yeah, I wasn't sure about that line either. I suppose it is the way we speak around here, but really I wish everyone still got married "to stay" and I suppose I just got lazy in the writing.

I responded to this yesterday but somehow my message got lost in the mail!

What a great tribute to your grandmother.
Super vocal, mix, and backing tracks.

Loved it.

I love a good story song. You did a great job with this.

Great country song Brad.

Keep 'em coming man.

Really good lyrics.

Brad,
You wove a great story from those personal details; easy to follow and with universal appeal... Ruth sounds a little like the beloved grandma we`d all wish for.
Your vocal,arrangement and levels sound good ( yes, I`d bump the cello a little too).
Very good!

Robert