Gene Watson The Old Man With A Horn Lyrics

The Old Man With A Horn Lyrics

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

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."



CHORUS



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