Story Behind The Song

I used to see an old man sitting grave on a chair that he kept in the trunk of his car. He used to be out there all day long, part of the time in the chair, part of the time on his knees, usually sobbing most of the day. I haven't seen him lately. Maybe he moved on, maybe he's in a nursing home. His name is next to his wife's name but he's not there.. yet.

Song Description

Passerby sees a man going to a location where he talks with the love of his life all day long. As the song progresses you eventually learn where the old man is, and why he is crying.

Lyrics

The Folding Metal Chair...by Jim Miller copyright 2006

verse
He pulls into the driveway, in his dented Chevrolet
He straightens up his neck tie, in the rear view mirror
His suit is old and faded and his hair has all turned grey
He blinks his eyes to wipe a-way his tears

He hears the gravel crunching, as he pulls up to a stop
And his heart is pounding with antic-i-pa-tion
He?s come to spend some time, with the woman that he loves
And he always wants to make a good impress-ion

chorus
I see him sitting out there, when I?m on my way to work
With a handkerchief he wipes away the tears
Talking to the woman, that he?s loved for all his life
Sitting in his folding metal chair

verse
He always brings flowers, for his one true love
And from his trunk he gets a folding chair
He pulls it very close, so he can whisper things to her
All day, while he?s sitting with her, there

He puts the flowers in the vase, arranges them a bit
The he stops to wipe away, another tear
There are so many things, he?d never taken time to say
To the woman that he loved so many years.

Chorus
I see him sitting out there, when I?m on my way to work
His handkerchief wiping away the tears
Talking to the woman, that he?s loved for all his life
Sitting in his folding metal chair

Yes, I see him every day, when I?m on my way to work
He gets there in the morning and stays in-to the night
Sitting next to her, in his yellowing white shirt
Spending all day crying, and talking, to his sleeping wife.

verse
Every time I pass by the place, I see him sitting there
He seems to miss that woman, more than anyone a-live
He?s sitting in the pouring rain, in that folding chair
He spends his waking hours, just sitting, at her side

I thought I?d stop and talk with him; spend a little time
But the only time I stopped , was when I saw him drive away
I realized I was only trying to satisfy my mind
But I had to stop anyway, just so, I?d know her name

Chorus
I see him sitting out there, when I?m on my way to work
With a handkerchief wiping away the tears
Talking to the woman, that he?s loved for all his life
Sitting in his folding metal chair

Yes, I see him every day, when I?m on my way to work
He gets there in the morning and stays in-to the night
Sitting in the graveyard, in his yellowing white shirt
Spending all day crying, and talking......, to his dead wife.