Pass The Music On

Pass The Music On
by Si Kahn & Tom Chapin
© 1992 Joe Hill Music & The Last Music Co. (ASCAP)

I did not learn this music
At my Grandma's knee,
But from some old musicians
I never got to see.
I know them by their records,
Their voices and their songs
And I'm blessed to be with you tonight
To pass the music on.
For the good times and the high times,
Through the suffering and pain;
It's the song of generations singing in my veins.
I still hear that old-time music
Of good friends now long gone.
I am here tonight to pass the music on.

You know I'm not traditional
And I've never claimed to be.
But I come from a tradition
That others made for me.
They're still alive inside my heart
Although they're now long gone,
I like to think they trusted me
To pass the music on.
For the good times and the high times,
Through the suffering and pain;
It's the song of generations singing in my veins.
I still hear that old-time music
Of good friends now long gone.
I am here tonight to pass the music on.

And most of the songs I've got tonight
I must admit I wrote,
Others I've learned heart to heart
Instead of note by note.
And now as I grow older
And New Folk come along
I'll help you out the best I can
To pass the music on.

I've sung these songs with some old friends
I never will forget.
And I've sung 'em with an audience
Of folks I've hardly met.
So here we are together
To celebrate the song,
We'll sing and play our part tonight
To pass the music on.
For the good times and the high times,
Through the suffering and pain;
It's the song of generations singing in my veins.
I still hear that old-time music
Of good friends now long gone.
I am here tonight to pass the music on.
I am here tonight to pass the music on.
We are here tonight to pass the music on.

This song appears on Tom Chapin's At The Turning Point CD.

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