Gene Watson Lyrics
"The Old Man and His Horn"

(Dallas Harms)

The Old man told his story about the years gone by
How he 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 feelin' 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 was 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 towsack that hung across his back
He said, "Goodbye!" and shuffled out the door.

Enthused by what he told me, I never got his name
So, I called the 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, 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 towsack that hung across his back
He said, "Goodbye!" and shuffled out the door.

He said, "Goodbye!" then shuffled out the door...