The Old ManThe old man never chatted much He wasn't that kind of guyHe doled out chores and he missed my games And we never did see eye to eyeBut the day my bus was leavin' The sky was ripe with snowHe tossed my duffel in the truck And he said, you're good to goLike a genie wreathed in camel smoke A ball cap wearin' sageSmoke stub hangin' from his mug He said, son, you've come of ageI can't give you no dang money Nor no truck that's fit to driveBut I can leave you these few words That maybe help you stay aliveNever read at a place called Mom's Don't play cards with a guy named DuckIf you find yourself in a high-stakes game Tuck your big bills in your sockBe careful who you cotton to Especially the girlIf you find someone who loves you, son Go on and give it a whirlDon't flirt too much with your wife's best friend Or with your best friend's wifeDon't drink and play with firearms It'll ruin a fella's lifeDon't steal what don't belong to you And don't be afraid to giveTry to swing first in a barroom brawl And don't go in ten to tenNever read at a place called Mom's Don't play cards with a guy named DuckIf you find yourself in a high-stakes game Tuck your big bills in your sockBe careful who you cotton to Especially the girlIf you find someone who loves you, son Go on and give it a whirlNow once we drew up to the depot He said, tell me where you landThis snow won't hold the bus up Then he held out his right handNow in case I've never told you this I'm proud to call you sonBut the best men carry pocket knives And then it gave me oneNever read at a place called Mom's Don't play cards with a guy named DuckIf you're running around the wrong side of town Tuck your big bills in your sockBe careful who you cotton to Especially the girlIf you find someone who loves you, son Go on and give it a whirlIf you find someone who loves you, son Go on and give it a whirlGo on and give it a whirl