| by Tim Van Schmidt
I was nothing but a stranger in town
Until I met a man with a steady hand
He said I’m Johnny and with a wink of the eye
He told me about how he had changed the land
When he came out from California
There wasn’t anywhere the kids here could play
So Johnny built some ball fields and playgrounds
And now the children can play all day
Oh Johnny
Johnny Paintbrush
He’s working all the time
Oh Johnny
Johnny Paintbrush
He built a park out of sweat and dimes
But it was slow to start, people didn’t come quick
Because it was so hot and sunny
So Johnny built the shelters and created shade
And it didn’t really cost much money
The park needed bridges and paths
And a place for the arrows to shoot
There was a whole lot of work to do
So Johnny just dug in his boots
Oh Johnny
Johnny Paintbrush
He’s working all the time
Oh Johnny
Johnny Paintbrush
He built a park out of sweat and dimes
Johnny planted the orange and purple flowers
He planted a sign in the stone
He took a barn and made it straight
He plays music there and never alone
People donate to Johnny’s cause
Because they see what he has done
He’s taken a place full of scrub brush
And made the Paintbrush fountains run
Oh Johnny
Johnny Paintbrush
He’s working all the time
Oh Johnny
Johnny Paintbrush
He built a park out of sweat and dimes
Johnny helps save history
The old tools give a sense of time
But more he gives the people a place to gather
And leave their troubles behind
I was once a stranger in town
Until I took a ride in Johnny’s car
He showed me that a man doesn’t have to retire
When his spirit is hitched to a star
Oh Johnny
Johnny Paintbrush
He’s working all the time
Oh Johnny
Johnny Paintbrush
He built a park out of sweat and dimes
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