“Grandfather” by The Ground Floor – A Song Review

     “Grandfather“ is comparable to a pleasant boat ride along a canyon river, with current (tempo) changes that are easily perceived but not dramatic and with scenario that is continuously beautiful, then spectacular during one section. The ear-catching section begins at 3:36, when lyrically layering is added to a comforting trumpet to elevate the texturing to its maximum.

     The track from The Ground Floor begins peacefully as childhood memories are described. The sound of children can be heard in the background. A little more than a minute (1:17) into “Grandfather,” the tempo increases and a string instrument (cello, probably) plays a progressively important role. Another minute into the song, the trumpet enters and its calm demeanor contrasts brilliantly with the increasingly passionate vocals during the lyrical layering. For the final verse, “Grandfather” returns to its original tempo. 

     The Ground Floor is the performance name of Will Cunningham. Will is from Los Angeles, but has lived in Sydney, Australia for the last couple of years. He is the only member of The Ground Floor, so he plays all the parts.

     “Grandfather” by The Ground Floor

Lyrics of “Grandfather” by The Ground Floor

We wore each other’s blood

On the shirts we owned when we were children

We shared our mother’s womb

But slept in different rooms when we were children

The scent of a lemon tree

Tethers my mind to the soil

Of our Grandfather’s garden

Where none of our harvest could spoil

You were the only one

Who understood me

Back when we were children

I never told you then

You were the stronger kin

When we were children

When we wept ever silently

Over the handwritten letter

From our Grandfather’s jail cell

Swearing that he would be better

When we wept ever silently

Over the handwritten letter

From our Grandfather’s jail cell

That finally brought us together

I bleed your blood and the sins of our Fathers [Repeated 6 times]

(So let’s bleed together)

I bleed your blood and the sins of our Fathers (Let’s bleed together)

(Let’s bleed together)

I bleed your blood and the sins of our Fathers (Let’s bleed together)

(Let’s be together)

I bleed your blood and the sins of our Fathers (Let’s bleed together)

(Let’s bleed together)

I bleed your blood and the sins of our Fathers (Let’s bleed together)

We'll gathered for dinner

When all of our families were stable

With our Grandfather seated

Back at the head of the table