The Red Sled

Daddy pulled it from the rafters Mom brushed off the years of dust That red sled from the Christmas When the snow was deep enough You bought it from a neighbor With one runner bent to the side I only saw the ribbon And a hill I had to try

I remember going faster I remember shouting, "Go" Mom, your scarf was round my shoulders Dad, your boots were full of snow You remember sanding splinters Working late out in the shed I remember Christmas morning And that little painted sled

Now my boy is climbing on it With his mittens on the rope You tell him, "Hold on tightly" And he tells you, "I already know" Dad, you're kneeling down beside him Mom, you're laughing at his face I can see myself from up here In the very same old place

I remember going faster I remember shouting, "Go" Mom, your scarf was round my shoulders Dad, your boots were full of snow You remember sanding splinters Working late out in the shed I remember Christmas morning And that little painted sled

There are things you never told me That I understand today All the care that went before You stood back and let me play I can thank you while you're here With the snow upon your sleeves For the child you let me be And the things you did for me

Now he's asking to go faster Now we're all out in the snow Mom, your scarf is round his shoulders Dad, he won't let go your coat Let me pull him up the hillside You can watch us from ahead Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad From the girl upon that sled

He says, "Just one more" And I say, "Yes, one more"