The Feast Has Been Laid

In loving memory of Beulah "Maw" Toliver, 1900-2000

Cry no tears for me
My life has not been short, you see
I've had many years to spend
In the presence of God and my children.
A hundred years ago
I came into this life we know
And I've been blessed with years
In the presence of God and my children.

And the feast has been laid at Grandma's house
We're going to feed all the people at Grandma's house
Grandma's been cooking since the break of dawn
Grab a plate, we'll put another place setting on for you
You are welcome here.

The stories they will tell
How Grandma's kindness never failed
Through dust and depression
And all the farms around not doing very well
But Grandma's table flowed
With all the goodness they could show
Grandma peddled mercantile goods,
While Grandpa worked his hands in wood.

And the feast has been laid at Grandma's house
We're going to feed all the people at Grandma's house
It might be beans and cornbread at the very least
Add her green tomato chow-chow, it'll be a feast for you
You are welcome here.

The war was far away
But airmen came to town to stay
And quite a few knew
Just where to go on a Sunday afternoon.
It must've been Grandma's cooking
Brought 'em all to call
It had nothing to do
With four daughters at all, they just knew
You are welcome here.

Blow, you winds of change, grandchildren come along
And it doesn't seem that long before the daughters bring
Grandchildren of their own
And the aunts clatter dishes while the uncles doze
There'll be Wahoo and Monopoly and dominoes
Uncle Jiggs, Uncle Morris, Grandpa passed away
Through the years of joy and sorrow
You can hear my Grandma say
You are welcome here.

And the feast has been laid at Grandma's house
We're going to feed all the people at Grandma's house
Bring your wives, bring your husbands, bring your children too
We've set up tables in the living room
And in the front bedroom, too
You are welcome here.

Blow, you winds of change, tornado's setting down
And the roof goes crashing in the neighbor's yard
And the walls are tumbling down
And the angel said, "Just sit here in the corner,
I've got my hand on you"
And the angel said, "There's still a lot of living
That we've got for you to do."

Blow, you winds of change, she's moved to a little house
But there's one big room out on the enclosed porch
Where we still can all sit down,

And the feast is still laid at Grandma's house
We're going to feed all the people at Grandma's house
Grandma's been directing since the break of dawn
Grab a chair, there's still room to put another plate on for you
You are welcome here.

And the feast is still laid at Grandma's house
We're going to feed all the people at Grandma's house
Family and strangers are welcome here
She's eighty-eight, she's ninety-two
She's ninety-nine and you'll still hear
You are welcome here.

Cry no tears for me
My life has not been short, you see
I've had many years to spend
In the presence of God and my children.
A hundred years ago
I came into this life we know
And now I've gone to live
In the presence of God and all His children.

And the feast has been laid at my Father's house
He's going to feed all the people at my Father's house
Grandma went to meet Him at the break of dawn
And the angels stood to greet her
With this joyful servant's song
You are welcome here.

And the feast has been laid at my Father's house
He's going to feed all the people at my Father's house
Grandma went to meet Him at the break of dawn
And the angels stood to greet her
With this joyful servant's song
You are welcome here.
You are welcome here.