CCLXI: Rest In Peace

He's the man with the banjo and the 12-string guitar.

And he's singing us the songs that tell us who we are.

When you look in his eyes you know that somebody's in there.

Yeah, he knows where we're going and where we been

And how the fog is gettin' thicker where the future should begin.

When you look at his life you know that he's really been there.

Still, what is the name that they're calling that man?

What is the name that they're calling that man?

You know, it's always the "Old Folkie"

They say he's always bleedin'

But whenever somebody's needing him,

He's the one who cares.

It's always the "Old Folkie"

Whenever somethin's burning,

Or a lesson needs some learning,

Or a tide that needs some turning,

To a better world somewhere,

Yeah, the "Old Folkie's" there.

Yeah, for forty years now he's been pushin' on.

Carrying the dream 'cause Woody's long gone.

He's the last voice singing that "Bound for Glory" song.

And if you never seen him you might take a look

He's the man who put the meaning in the music book.

Yeah, the world may be tired but Pete's still going strong.

Still, what is the name that they're calling that man?

What is the name that they're calling that man?

You know, it's always the "Old Folkie"

They say he's always bleedin'

But whenever somebody's needing him,

He's the one who cares

It's always the "Old Folkie:'

Whenever somethin's burning,

Or a lesson needs some learning,

Or a tide that needs some turning,

To a better world somewhere, Yeah, the "Old Folkie's" there.

What is the name that they're calling that man?

What is the name that they're calling that man?

You know, it's always the "Old Folkie"

Singing for some hopeless cause.

Shouting at the mountain top

The wind is his only applause.

It's always the "Old Folkie"

We don't know what we're missing

'Cause nobody ever listens,

'Cept the lovers as they're kissin' 

Oh, he's singing for them somewhere. 

Yeah, the "Old Folkie's" there. The "Old Folkie's" there.

Harry Chapin, Old Folkie