OLD MAN AND HIS HORN
(Dallas Harms)


Gene Watson - 1977





The old man told his story about the years gone by
How he'd played his horn down in New Orleans in some old dingy dive
"I knew 'em all back then", he said as he reached out for his horn
He closed his eyes and wet his lips, then the blues were born

He played with so much feeling, tears came from his eyes
He stopped and reminisced a bit and then he gave a sigh
Said, "You know, I almost made it, but that's before your time
Dixieland, po' folks blues, Scatman Jack and wine"

Slapped his knee and gave a grin, "It sure was good back then"
Reaching for his horn on the floor
Placed it in an old tow sack that hung across his back
He said goodbye, then shuffled out the door

Enthused by what he told me, I never got his name
So I called a waitress over and started to explain
A tired old man, his tarnished horn and mem'ries of years gone by
How he played his horn and reminisced, then smiled with tear dimmed eyes

She said, "You are mistaken, there's been no one but you
But I know who you're talkin' 'bout, I used to know him too
You'll find him down on Basin Street in back of an old churchyard
A stone that reads Rest In Peace", I tried but it sure was hard

Slapped his knee and gave a grin, "It sure was good back then"
Reaching for his horn on the floor
Placed it in an old tow sack that hung across his back
He said goodbye, then shuffled out the door
He said goodbye, then shuffled out the door






(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - August 2012)