The council of Nine

[Verse 1]
There's a scent of pine on the winter wind
And a dirt road climbing where the hills begin
Some men build a life with their own two hands
Up in Schuylkil l County on Knittle's land
They called him Sonny, Harry's son
And that name fit him like the morning sun

[Chorus]
Daddy, you gave us shelter
Gave us room to grow and climb
Your quiet strength, your sacrifice
Built the Council of Nine
We each hold you our own way
But we hold you all the same

[Verse 2]
He worked with Butch before the dawn
Rows of spruce till the light was gone
Hauled that anthracite through Pottsville streets
Black dust on his hands, cold beneath his feet
Every load was God's own training
For the bigger road ahead

[Chorus]
Daddy, you gave us shelter
Gave us room to grow and climb
Your quiet strength, your sacrifice
Built the Council of Nine
We each hold you our own way
But we hold you all the same

[Bridge]
Then came Pottstown, a house so full
Six girls, three boys, three sets of twins
He never asked for a lighter load
He just found more strength within

[Verse 3]
Now we're grown and scattered wide
But we carry you inside
In a quick joke and a steady hand
In the way you taught us how to stand
Every Christmas tree we trim
Brings us back to you again

[Chorus]
Daddy, you're still our shelter
Still the hand that helped us climb
Your quiet strength, your sacrifice
Lives on in the Council of Nine
We each hold you our own way
But we hold you all the same

[Outro]
Rest now, Sonny, the work is done
Your trees still reach up toward the sun
And we'll carry you, every one