For the longest time he was the kind I just didn't understandHard to read, hard to please, yeah that was my old manOn the day I left I for college it was nothing newWe never had that heart to heart, he had too much to do He checked the air in my tires, the belts and all the sparkplug wiresSaid when was the last time you had this oil changedAnd as I pulled out the drive he said, "be sure and call your mom sometime" I didn't hear it then but I hear it nowHe was saying "I love you," the only way he knew how A hundred twenty thousand miles and 6 years down the roadBrand new life brand new wife we just bought our first homeWhen he finally came to visit I thought he'd be so proudHe never said he liked the place he just got his tool belt out And put new locks on the doors, went back and forth to the hardware storeSaid come and hold this flashlight as he crawled beneath the sinkThese old wires aren't up to code and that circuit box is gonna overloadAnd I didn't hear it then but I hear it nowHe was saying I love you the only way he knew how Last Sunday we all gathered for his 65th birthdayAnd I knew he'd stiffen up but I hugged him anywayWhen was finally time to say goodbye I knew what was nextJust like he always did right before he left He checked the air in my tires, the belts and all the sparkplug wiresSaid when was the last time you had this oil changedAnd as I pulled out the drive he said, "be sure to call your mom sometime"And I wish I knew back then what I know nowHe was saying "I love you," the only way he knew how