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OLD AND ONLY IN THE WAY Sung by: Stanley W. Duncan Recorded in Pocahontas, AR 8/16/63 Click here to listen to the original recording How often do you meet Some poor old man whose life is all but spent? In his pocket not a cent, And with age his form is bent, And for shelter he does not know where to go. Chorus: Then let us cheer them on, For they won’t be with us long. Don’t sneer at them because they’re old and gray, But remember while you’re young That the day to you may come When you’re old and only in the way. Now, this little song, I’m sure, Is for rich as well as poor. You take a rich man when he’s growing old-- His relations ‘round him stand-- Friends a-grip him by the hand-- They but wait for him to die; they want his gold. (Chorus) (Mr. Duncan: “There’s another verse to that.”) Now, there was a time, I’m sure, When the young were not so queer, But since that time has come a mighty change. Young people, they do smirk; Their old parents they do shirk. It happens every day; ‘tis nothing strange. (Chorus) (Mr. Duncan: "That's it." Dr. Wolf: “Put your name on there.” Mr. Duncan: “It’s Stanley W. Duncan of Warm Springs Route, Pocahontas, Arkansas.” Dr. Wolf: “Where’d you learn it?” Mr. Duncan: “I learned that from my grandmother a good many years ago.” Dr. Wolf: “Well, what was her name?” Mr. Duncan: “Her name was Raymond at one time, and at another time, Bolton. She was married twice. Both of her husbands were soldiers in the Civil War.”) |
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All Songs Recorded by John Quincy Wolf, Jr., unless otherwise noted The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas Back to the Song Index Back to the Wolf Collection Homepage ©Copyright 2002 Lyon College |