Story Behind The Song

Got a used el cheapo Martin DX-1 guitar around the end of 2005. Threw a capo on the 2nd fret in January 2006 thinking maybe I could write something in the Bob Dylan vein. Instead, the sound made me think of John Prine once I got going. This song just kind of wrote itself in about 20 minutes. I only did a little refining with this song. The final verse came about a month after the rest of the song was done...the bow on the package. I just did an update and re-recorded this version starting the April 5, 2020, and damn it, wouldn't you know we lost the guy who inspired my writing this song in the first place, John Prine? I finished this recorded version the day after he left us. I first saw him perform live on April 1, 1972 and immediately added all the songs from his first album to my performing repertoire back then. RIP John! This one's for you!

Song Description

One thing nobody can buy is time. It's a somber situation when you begin to realize how valuable it is, especially when you start to cross over the bridge from youth. Perspective and wisdom can change dramatically when one starts numbering their years,

Lyrics

OLD
words and music by Sam Cooper (c)2006
615-469-4067 jericat@yahoo.com

1. Well that farmer, he's a pullin' up them weeds again,
He's a tryin' to tend to the family's needs again,
But the bank's on a binge, takin' back the deeds again,
So all that he's a growin' is old.

2. The union man is tryin' hard to listen,
But the brothers and sisters are still a moanin' and a pissin',
Ain't nobody knows who's ass they should be a kissin',
They ain't gettin' nowhere with the company but old.

(chorus)
Growin' old, growin' old,
I've been told it ain't so bad By people in the know,
But when it's a curtain time, I hope I'm a growin' old.

3. Now it's gettin' time to put the youngun's to bed,
And the dyin' ones are a better off left for dead,
But the grocery store's selling thirty-nine kinds of bread,
How's a fool supposed live long enough to get old?

4. And it hurts so much when I twist my head this a way,
The game of life ain't always that much fun to play,
I don't wanna go away, but I ain't sure I wanna stay,
I guess it beats a losin' out gettin' old.

Growin' old, growin' old,
I've been told it ain't so bad, you justa roll with the flow,
But when it's a curtain times, I hope I'm growin' old.

5. None of us is gettin' outta here alive,
The regular folk seem contented to survive,
In the mirror, when them wrinkles start to arrive,
They're just sayin' "Hi!" to your face and growin' old.

6. The perks are really nice, son, thank you for that seat,
Can somebody here please turn up the goddamn heat?
Can't believe that livin' ain't livin', it ain't complete,
Unless'n you stop eatin' meat so's you'll get old

Growin' old, growin' old,
I've been told it ain't so bad, you just move a little slow,
But when it's a curtain times, I hope I'm growin' old.
Growin, old, growin' old,
I've been told it ain't so bad, by some people in the know,
But when it's a curtain time, I hope,
I hope I'm,
I hope I'm a growin' old.

(outro verse #7)
Can't remember how I got here, must be fate.
Not many in line, ain't much of a wait.
I hear harps and I see wings and halos at the gate.
I guess I'm finally done gettin' old.