Old Folks
Al Harewood Yusef Lateef Jack McDuff and Grant Green Lyrics
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Like the seasons, he'll come and he'll go
Just as free as a bird and as good as his word
That's why everybody loves him so
Always leaving his spoon in his coffee
Tucks his napkin up under his chin
And that yellow cow-pie is so mellow it's ripe
Every Friday he'll go fishing, down on his favorite lake
But he only hooks a perch or two, the whale got away
Looks like we warm the steak
Someday there'll be no more Old Folks
What a lonesome old town this will be
Children's voice at play, will be still for a day
The day they take the Old Folks away
The song "Old Folks" by Al Harewood, Yusef Lateef, Jack McDuff, and Grant Green is a beautiful tribute to an elderly man the performer's fondly refer to as Old Folks. The lyrics touch upon what makes the man so beloved, such as his free-spirited nature and his honesty. The imagery is also beautiful, which can be seen when they describe Old Folks as someone who is "just as free as a bird" and leaves his spoon in his coffee. The song also details how Old Folks spends his time, with Friday fishing trips being a particular highlight.
The final verse of the song is both bittersweet and poignant. They appear to be talking about Old Folks' eventual death and how it will affect them and the town they live in. The reference to the children's voices "at play" becoming silent for a day suggests the profound sadness and sense of loss that would come with Old Folks' passing. Overall, the song provides a heartfelt and relatable tribute to an old man who is loved by those around him.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyone knows him as Old Folks
Old Folks is a well-known person in the community
Like the seasons, he'll come and he'll go
Old Folks comes and goes like the changing seasons
Just as free as a bird and as good as his word
He is free-spirited and always keeps his promises
That's why everybody loves him so
Everyone loves Old Folks because of his carefree and trustworthy nature
Always leaving his spoon in his coffee
Old Folks forgets to remove his spoon from his coffee cup
Tucks his napkin up under his chin
He folds his napkin and keeps it under his chin while eating
And that yellow cow-pie is so mellow it's ripe
Old Folks likes to eat ripe cow pies
But you needn't be ashamed of him
Despite his unusual habits, there is no need to feel embarrassed about Old Folks
Every Friday he'll go fishing, down on his favorite lake
Old Folks enjoys fishing at his favorite lake every Friday
But he only hooks a perch or two, the whale got away
He usually only catches a small fish, but one time he missed a big catch
Looks like we warm the steak
They have to settle for a less impressive meal instead of the big fish they were hoping for
Someday there'll be no more Old Folks
Old Folks will eventually pass away
What a lonesome old town this will be
The town will feel lonely without Old Folks
Children's voice at play, will be still for a day
Even the sound of children playing will be silenced out of respect when Old Folks dies
The day they take the Old Folks away
People will be sad when it is time to say goodbye to Old Folks
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DEDETTE LEE HILL, WILLARD ROBISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind