Album cover to Just As I Am by w:Bill Withers, w:Sussex Records, 1971.
The above album sleeve features a photograph of Withers next to a brick building, supposedly the factory that he was working in at the time the album was recorded, where he installed airplane toilets. He wears a yellow T-shirt and jeans and holds a lunchbox. It was taken by Norbert Jobst.
Di had a good prompt idea and after a quick search I realized I wanted a song about my grandma, who was a steady caregiver who always made me feel loved. I spent so much of my childhood at grandma and grandpa’s house with my cousin and best friend, Susie. We played outside much of the time but we also helped with various chores. My grandma had a fragile health status and was bedridden a fair amount when company wasn’t over. My grandma’s hands had arthritic joints that caused her a lot of pain. She still managed to comb the knots out of my unruly hair and was gentle about it. I don’t want to leave grandpa out of this. He was a stoic by the time I was growing up, but he always made me feel welcome in small ways.
“Grandma’s Hands” is a song written by Bill Withers about his grandmother. It was included on his first album Just as I Am (1971,) and was released as a single, reaching number 18 on the Best Selling Soul Singles chart and 42 on the Billboard Hot 100. In Canada, it reached No. 37 on the RPM magazine charts. The song was produced by Booker T. Jones.
Personnel:
Bill Withers – vocals, guitar
Stephen Stills – guitar
Booker T. Jones – guitar, keyboards, arrangements
Donald “Duck” Dunn, Chris Ethridge – bass guitar
Al Jackson Jr., Jim Keltner – drums
Bobbye Hall – percussion
Source: wikipedia
“Grandma’s Hands” was recently re-imagined in picture book form, published by Bill Withers’ wife Marcia, daughter Kori, and Freedom Three Publishing. I’m guessing the following video was created with images from the book.
Grandma's Hands
Grandma's hands
Clapped in church on Sunday morning
Grandma's hands
Played a tambourine so well
Grandma's hands
Used to issue out a warning
She'd say, Billy don't you run so fast
Might fall on a piece of glass
Might be snakes there in that grass
Grandma's hands
Grandma's hands
Soothed a local unwed mother
Grandma's hands
Used to ache sometimes and swell
Grandma's hands
Used to lift her face and tell her
She'd say, Baby, grandma understands
That you really love that man
Put yourself in Jesus' hands
Grandma's hands
Grandma's hands
Used to hand me piece of candy
Grandma's hands
Picked me up each time I fell
Grandma's hands
Boy, they really came in handy
She'd say, Matty don' you whip that boy
What you want to spank him for?
He didn' drop no apple core
But I don't have grandma anymore
If I get to heaven I'll look for
Grandma's hands
Hmm-mmh
Songwriter: Bill Withers
Jim Adams is the host of Song Lyric Sunday. This week the theme is to find a song that mentions a family member such as mom, dad, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, grandparent, or cousin suggested by Di of pensitivity101.
Tao-Talk 
Legendary record from one of THE biggest voices in my listening history. I love Bill’s music.
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<3 A voice you can trust.
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Lisa I don’t mind listening to this song twice it’s a great tender song and reading your story just adds to the joy 🩷
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Ange, it’s a tender tune for sure. Thank you <3
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💞
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Lovely song, and the second time today!
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Clive, thanks, and I saw that right away. I should have gone with my 2nd choice, “Grandma’s Feather Bed,” by John Denver. “It’d hold 8 kids and 4 hound dogs and a piggy wiggy stole from the shed.”
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As I’m not a fan of John Denver I’m happy with the choice you made 😊
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lmao! I have to be in a Rocky Mountain High mood for him, but he has a place in my heart.
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My ex-wife liked him, which meant that I heard him more than I would have wanted 🤣
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Ah, got it.
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I love the second video! The stop motion that they used was perfect for the beat of the music. Excellent choice, Li.
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V, I love it also and watched it multiple times last night. Thank you for mentioning the stop motion on the beat linking up, I didn’t notice, but I will now.
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I did not know this Bill Withers song and not I got a chance to listen to it twice today, which is really cool. Lisa.
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Jim, I’m happy I helped introduce the song to you. A grandmother’s care can mean all of the difference. There’s no telling where I’d be if it weren’t for my grandparents. Thanks and I am glad you used my banner today :)
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Great song! I almost posted the animated video too, but I liked that live version…
Great minds… :-)
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Indeed! Yes, the live version is great.
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Wonderful reading about your grandmother, Lisa, and how much she meant to you. This is a beautiful song by Bill Withers. You chose a winner.
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Nancy, thanks much <3
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Very welcome, Lisa
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Very interesting, Lisa.
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Thanks, Dwight.
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Stellar choice. 💝the second video
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<3
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Li, it was so nice that this was picked twice today!! You and Marina. It’s always fun when that happens, especially when it’s a great song 🥰. I have always loved Bill Withers.
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Thanks much, Christine <3
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It’s so interesting, I was just thinking of the bond between grandparents and grandchildren and how it is both different and necessary for a good growing up. What made me think of it? I can’t remember. But this song is a beautiful encapsulation of it. (K)
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I like the way you put it, K. Yes it is.
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Don’t know if any song’s ever captured family love better than this one.
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<3
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What a beautiful song! I never have heard it before…love this!
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Max, I thought you wrote about this one before but I guess not. Maybe it was Hans? Glad you got a chance to hear it :)
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No I haven’t covered that one but I probably will now. Oh, I apologize for being so late…I was in and out all day long.
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Max, no worries, I understand about busy-ness.
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Always liked his music!
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Me too, Dana.
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