My Daddy's Homemade Car

by John Immel

My dad (click here to see a picture), a Long Island police officer, used to collect junked boat engines, fix 'em up in the garage and sell them. It was a profitable hobby but he's also handy with cars. Back in the 70's we had some famous family breakdowns. With my dad underneath the hood, kids had no choice but to wait and eat meatballs. Luckily, grandma packed a picnic in anticipation.

Click here for the melody lines. The strumming pattern is Oumchuk Oumchuk.

(refrain)
Let's take a little roadtrip, [Bb -]
in my daddy's homemade car, [- F]
And honk beep-beep [Bb]
with our hands and feet [- -]
together we'll go far. [FBb F]

I love my Daddy,
he's a big strong man,
but we can see
right down the road
through the floor of our old van. [End on C]

Don't ever mess with Grandpie, [Bb]
he's a wild Italian guy
A swing of the hammer
and abracadabra,
he'll fix that old flat tire. [End on C]

Meatballs from my Granny,
cause she's the worlds best cook.
And when we're stuck
on the side of the road
Lovin' Granny packs a pic-nic.[End on Bb]

(refrain)

Never catch up with Mommy
she's late for shopping time,
'cept now my Daddy's
in the police car
and chasing from behind.

God bless us all the children,
and the sweaty, hot summer sun.
Look beneath the seats
of the Grand Torino,
melted candy and crayons.

Little nino's crying,
Jenny's got a smack.
Johnny's sittin' in the middle
Wondering if he'll ever get back.

(refrain)

Carmela was my nana,
but she never walked too far,
Smiling in the window
of the old junked car,
jacked up on the lawn.

I've got a Long Island family,
spaghetti and chicken parm,
plus a homemade pair
of windshield wipers
for my jukebox in the snowstorm.

There's no end to the car stories,
but yes there is a start (pause),
cause in the year
that mommy met daddy
he ran right over her ... foot!

(refrain)