Footprints
John Mccutcheon Lyrics

On the day that school let out
The day when school was dismissed

My sister and me
My sister and I

Walk the fields behind our house
Strolling through the fields behind our house

To find our Christmas tree
In search of a Christmas tree

She was six years older
My sister was six years my senior

So she led the way
She took the lead

As we a walked out to find the tree would have on Christmas day.
As we went out to find the tree to be used on Christmas day

Now weeks of late November rain had brought the creek to flood
Due to many weeks of rain in late November, the creek had flooded

As we walked out across the field
Crossing the field

Our boots sunk in the mud
Our boots sank in the mud

I soon realized that I could step inside her prints so grand
I learned that I could step inside her very large footprints

Until it seemed like I was walked across the dries land
It was almost as if I was walking on dry land

I was walking in your foot prints
I was following your footsteps

Counting every step, measuring every move you made,
I counted each step and analyzed every move you made

Every word you said, and I was dancing in your shadow, doing what you do.
I listened to every word you said and emulated you, following in your footsteps

I was learning how to be like me by being just like you.
By emulating you, I was learning how to be myself

Mom could hit a baseball
My mom played baseball and was good at it

Lee could fly a kite,
Lee, presumably a sibling or friend, was good at flying kites

Dad knew ever constellation in the sky at night
My dad knew every constellation in the night sky

And Ann could sing about every song that Elvis ever sung
Ann could sing almost any song by Elvis

And it wasn't long before it seemed like I knew everyone.
Soon it felt as if I knew everyone and everything they could do

I was watching how you walked and talked.
I watched your every move and listened to your every word

How you held you head.
I observed how you held your head

Every joke that made you laugh.
I remember every joke that made you laugh

Every book your read.
I took note of every book you read

And how you did your best when no one seemed to care,
I saw how you persevered when no one seemed to care

How you did you did your duty,
I saw how you fulfilled your responsibilities

How you did your share.
I observed how you contributed your fair share

Now as I grow older
As I get older

It's so easy to forget all the ones who follow after me
It's easy to forget those who follow in my footsteps

I can't imagine yet
I still can't fathom

Who learn what I remember,
Who will learn from my experiences and memories

Who do what I done,
Who will do what I've done

Every step I travel now
In every step I take from now on

I walk for more than one.
I walk in the footsteps of others

I'm walking in your footprints
I'm following in your footsteps

Measuring every move you made.
I'm analyzing every move you made

And every word you said.
And every word you spoke

I was dancing in your shadow.
I followed you closely

I was learning how to be like me by being just like you.
I was learning to be myself by following your example