The Old Man
The old man never chatted much He wasn't that kind of guy
He doled out chores and he missed my games And we never did see eye to eye
But the day my bus was leavin' The sky was ripe with snow
He tossed my duffel in the truck And he said, you're good to go
Like a genie wreathed in camel smoke A ball cap wearin' sage
Smoke stub hangin' from his mug He said, son, you've come of age
I can't give you no dang money Nor no truck that's fit to drive
But I can leave you these few words That maybe help you stay alive
Never read at a place called Mom's Don't play cards with a guy named Duck
If you find yourself in a high-stakes game Tuck your big bills in your sock
Be careful who you cotton to Especially the girl
If you find someone who loves you, son Go on and give it a whirl
Don't flirt too much with your wife's best friend Or with your best friend's wife
Don't drink and play with firearms It'll ruin a fella's life
Don't steal what don't belong to you And don't be afraid to give
Try to swing first in a barroom brawl And don't go in ten to ten
Never read at a place called Mom's Don't play cards with a guy named Duck
If you find yourself in a high-stakes game Tuck your big bills in your sock
Be careful who you cotton to Especially the girl
If you find someone who loves you, son Go on and give it a whirl
Now once we drew up to the depot He said, tell me where you land
This snow won't hold the bus up Then he held out his right hand
Now in case I've never told you this I'm proud to call you son
But the best men carry pocket knives And then it gave me one
Never read at a place called Mom's Don't play cards with a guy named Duck
If you're running around the wrong side of town Tuck your big bills in your sock
Be careful who you cotton to Especially the girl
If you find someone who loves you, son Go on and give it a whirl
If you find someone who loves you, son Go on and give it a whirl
Go on and give it a whirl