Song Description

There used to be a tramp (ho-bo) who would busk the main drag in my old town with an old guitar that usually had 2 strings on it. We called him elvis, and this song is for him.

Lyrics

HEY OLD MAN Words and music by P. Bradshaw


I watched you walk the streets, head held way too low.
You had no shoes upon your feet, you had no place to go.
And you'd been walking all night long,
Trying to lose the thoughts you don't belong,
You looked at me through eyes of grace,
And I could see the smile behind your face.

I watched you half the day, I hope you didn't mind.
I found it hard to see how people can be so unkind.
But you had nothing bad to say,
Just forgave and walked away,
They never saw you were afraid,
But I could see behind your face...

Hey old man, why do you live the way you do?
What's the plan that's put aside for folk like you.
Hey old man, how come you know so much?
Hey old man, why did you never keep in touch?

As the sun gets low, you curl up in your cardboard home.
In a city of a million men, you couldn't be much more alone.
And you try hard not to compain,
Live the lie and take the blame,
Take the knocks to hide the shame,
Another face without a name.

But I'd like to learn to have grace like that,
No fear what the truth is.
I'd like to see with my own two eyes
To have half of your peace of mind.

Hey old man, why do you live the way you do?
What's the plan, that's put aside for folk like you.
Hey old man, how come you know so much?
Hey old man.

Hey old man, Hey old man, Hey old man, Hey old man.
Hey old man, Hey old man.

And very soon the moon sets on another lonely night,
All the stars erased by morning's eager beaver light.
And as you wake you shake with cold,
Your body aches, your bones are old,
And noone cares what they are told...
But you are wiser...

Hey old man, why do you live the way you do?
What's the plan, that's put aside for folk like you.
Hey old man, how come you know so much,
Hey old man.


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