Actor Jeff Daniels sings ‘Grandfather’s Hat’

Listen as actor Jeff Daniels performs a song he wrote.

Guideposts Video: Inspiring True Stories


[GUITAR TUNING] So, a little something for some Guideposts Readers. 

Something inspirational. 

A little something. 

OK. 

[REFLECTIVE GUITAR MUSIC] 

(SINGING) I don’t know. I don’t care, long as I can wear you anywhere. You dress me up, and you dress me down. You say a lot without making a sound. Some people they just laugh at me wondering who I think I’m trying to be. But if everything they say is true, I guess I’m just a lot like you. 

Sometimes I remember, and sometimes I recall. Sometimes no matter how I try, it don’t matter at all. But this time all it took was for someone to say, is that your grandfather’s hat? 

You stood out in the crowd. You were one of a kind, the life of the party, never behind. You took it all in with a grain of salt. You took the blame when it wasn’t your fault. I swear I can see you plain as day. I close my eyes and I can hear you say, oh, I’m damned if I do. I’m damned if I don’t. The hell I will, and the hell I won’t. 

Sometimes I remember. Sometimes I recall. Sometimes no matter how I tried, it don’t matter at all. But this time all it took was for someone to say, is that your grandfather’s hat? 

I go walking down your old street. I tip your hat to all I meet. You dress me up, and you dress me down. You still say a lot without making a sound. Some people they still laugh at me, wondering who the hell I think I am trying to be. But if everything they say is true, I guess I’m just a lot like you. 

‘Cause I stand out in a crowd. I am one of a kind. I’m the life of the party, and I’m never behind. I take it all with a grain of salt. I take the blame when it ain’t my fault. I’m damned if I do. I’m damned if I don’t. The hell I will and the hell I won’t. 

Sometimes I remember. Sometimes I recall. Sometimes no matter how I try, it don’t matter at all. But this time all it took was for someone to say, is that your grandfather’s hat? 

Yay. It’s so sweet. 

Not bad. 

Very nice. 

[CLAPPING] 


Share this story

Easter Sale 2024 Right Rail Ad

Community Newsletter

Get More Inspiration Delivered to Your Inbox

Scroll to Top