We met back in Brooklyn in 1969
but Nonno on the Cagno side came from another time
Born there 1917 the middle son of 3
1st of his generation in the new country

there were 7 all together filling up the house
a small railroad apartment with homemade pasta strung around
he became metal worker, bringing home an honest wage
but music lived inside him and came out on the days

C In the alley with his Garcia Vega, Whistling in his folding chair
H with the birds up in the trees, he’d be trading melodies
O & blowin off of Gravesend Bay, there was always a cool breeze
R & that’s how I remember him, on Bay 11th Street

It was at 23rd and 4th, where he met his future bride
in a candystore in South Slope while the dogs waited outside
took her down to Coney Island, on a Nathan’s date
quickly married her at 18, her shoe broken on the way

In 1941, with their 1st born coming soon
Uncle Sam sent him a letter, & told him “I Want You”
& The day before he had to go, they told him he could stay
So they brought up 4 sons, fishing by the Belt Parkway
His 4 sons had 8 others, not a girl among the crew
he taught some geometry, & others to shoot pool
He taught me piano, as I watched him play by ear
Bing Crosby, Willie Nelson or whatever you’d wanna hear

He had a giggle like a jester, when he’d get you going
drove a bright orange ford maverick, by the time I got to know him
We weren’t ready when he left, but I guess you never are
and I think of him each time, I smell a cheap cigar

© 2014 Gregg Cagno, ℗ Greggnotes Music ASCAP