Coin Collection

I remember when I was eight or nine
Grandpa brought home a bog old box of books
He smiled wide, he said, "Kyle, these are all for you,"
I came in closer to take a look
There weren't any words or pictures in
They were filled with nickels, quarters and dimes
There were coins from a hundred years ago
There was space for pennies 'til 2099

And I went crazy at the candy store
"Sir, I know you gave me this dime
But I already have this dime
I don't suppose you have any in the cash
From '57 or '69?"

I put all those coins in a big old toolbox
I got a secret combination on a fancy lock
I was lonely kid, I didn't have too many friends
But when Grandpa came over, we'd hunt for coins like a treasure chest
But this is now and that was then

The geese flew south time and time again
Until collecting coins just wasn't my thing
I started making movies with silly friends
And blowing eggs up in microwaves like "DING!"
I found myself needing some pocket change
"I'll take 1987 but leave in the rest,"
I took more and more of those old coins
'Til Grandpa's collection lay decimated

My mom calls downstairs, "He's on the phone for you,"
Mom I don't have the time
We'll talk some other time
I'm in the middle of owning a bunch of noobs
on Xbox Live

Then Grandpa got sick and I didn't really care
He was way in Ottawa and I was nowhere near there
The last time I saw him was on that hospital bed
I can't remember what he told me, I don't recall just what he said
But this is now and that was then

This is now and that was then
Or at least that's what I tell myself
As if it matters in the end
As if now I'm a different person
Like I wouldn't do it again
Say, "But this is now and that was then,"

I walk home from work, I count up my tips
I have a special loonie with a totem pole on it
I open up my box, still have the code to get in
Put in six or seven quarters, feel like that little boy again
But this is now and that was then