Song Description

Good working class marriage told from newlywed years to death of husband

Lyrics

To Jimmy

First day back on the job
after his honeymoon
Jimmy's buddies ribbed him good
from 8 o'clock till noon
Jimmy opened his brown bag
and what he found inside
was his favorite sandwich
and a note from his new bride

On his napkin Beth had drawn
an arrow through a heart
and underneath she'd written on it
"I hate to be apart"
Jimmy folded that napkin up
took care to keep it clean
put it in his wallet
wiped his hands on his jeans

Next day, same time
another brown bag feast
Another napkin, another note
"My love will never cease"
From his pocket Jimmy drew
a napkin of his own
and put the first one neatly by
to take it safely home

Every day Beth packed his lunch
and every day she wrote
a few words on his napkin
some sweet lover's note
When he read them, Jimmy smiled
and fingered his gold ring
'Cause they all said something different
but they all said the same thing

40 years of working hard, 40 hours a week
10,000 lunch bags
each with something sweet
After seven years retired
and one last kiss goodnight
Jimmy went to sleep and
never saw the morning light

In the attic, a big old box
with a taped-on note
"Beth, you made my every day"
was all that Jimmy wrote
She cut the string and opened up
that box to find inside
10,000 napkins
to Jimmy from his bride

Every day Beth packed his lunch
and every day she wrote
a few words on his napkin
some sweet lover's note
When she read them, Beth smiled
and fingered her gold ring
'Cause they all said something different
but they all said the same thing
10,000 napkins to Jimmy from his bride