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Old Man Tell Me Lyrics
I've seen the old man sittin' 'round
The courthouse square back home in town
Talking bout the big war back in 1943
Sayin' how much good it's done
Medals gleamin' in the sun
Cussin' at my long hair
And my talk of bein' free
Their vision like their battle scars
Of other wars has faded
Like the colors on the ribbons
From the battles that they've won
If there's one thing I've learned it's this
You just can't shake hands with a fist
And I once did my talkin' with a gun
And, old man, I know what you've seen
But yours is not the only dream
I have to believe in something more
Than yesterday
Let it die, just like the past
I believe there's hope at last
Old man, did you ever have to pray
Old man, can you show me the way
He shakes his head from time to time
And rambles somewhere in his mind
Mumbling 'bout the Civil War
And how we should have won
Settin' up his battle plans
On checkerboards at his command
Watchin' all his gallant kings
Go falling one by one
And son he'd say there's not much time
For you to straighten out your mind
But you never listen to
The things I try to say
And I just turn my head and cry
Never understanding why
He's set up that checkerboard
When he knew I couldn't play
The courthouse square back home in town
Talking bout the big war back in 1943
Sayin' how much good it's done
Cussin' at my long hair
And my talk of bein' free
Their vision like their battle scars
Like the colors on the ribbons
From the battles that they've won
If there's one thing I've learned it's this
And I once did my talkin' with a gun
And, old man, I know what you've seen
But yours is not the only dream
Than yesterday
Let it die, just like the past
I believe there's hope at last
Old man, can you show me the way
And rambles somewhere in his mind
Mumbling 'bout the Civil War
And how we should have won
On checkerboards at his command
Watchin' all his gallant kings
Go falling one by one
For you to straighten out your mind
But you never listen to
The things I try to say
Never understanding why
He's set up that checkerboard
When he knew I couldn't play
Add your song meanings, interpretations, facts, memories & more to the community.
He's looking up to older, wiser men who've experienced a lot of life. While he listens to them ramble about their experiences he's trying to gain some of their wisdom, but he's growing up in an era that's looking for peace (hence the long hair reference) so there's a little conflict going on inside him. Is life all about war and the simple times that grandpa tells you are important or is it what my piers think? I believe every young man struggles with similar conflicts. You want to respect what your father and grandfather have done and you know they're only trying to help you in the long run, but you've got to live for yourself and make your own path. I love this song for that reason, it's real content that young men struggle with and DAC nails it on the head. Not to mention this son is sung beautifully by one of the most underrated vocalists of all time.