The Old Man With A Horn Lyrics - Singles - Gene Watson

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.