Don Redman
Tyree Glenn
Peanuts Holland
Old Folks
Don Byas Quartet Lyrics
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I don't have a choice, you know I'm only young
I'm getting older, I'm getting smaller
Everybody tells you, "you've got to walk taller"
You did a war, and now you're poor
And like your friends, you're gonna get it in the end
You've heard it all before
It's not like I think
The old folks are losers
They can't work computers
They die in December time
Can't put it off, you put it on
Don't ever stop, it doesn't last long
The younger folk, they
Don't understand, they
Back in the day, they
You're gonna get it in the end
You heard it all before
You can't go on much more
Its not like I think
The old folks are losers
They can't work computers
They die in December time
Fall down for no reason
The churches are heaving
The old folks, they live the life
I'm down on the floor, I'll settle down, do what I tell ya.
You're gonna get it in the end,
You're gonna get it in the end
The old folks are losers, they can't work computers
The old folks are losers, they can't work computers
The old folks are losers
They can't work computers
They die in December time
Fall down for no reason
The churches are heaving
The old folks remember why
The old folks are losers
They can't work computers
They die in December time
The song "Old Folks" by the Don Byas Quartet reflects on the challenges of growing old and the changes that come with it, all sung from the perspective of a young person who feels they don't fully understand what it's like to age. The opening lines of the song emphasize this - "I don't know I'm born, I'm only young / I don't have a choice, you know I'm only young" - suggesting a sense of helplessness and inexperience. The singer acknowledges that they are getting older, but also feels smaller and less authoritative - "Everybody tells you, 'you've got to walk taller'". The song also touches on economic struggles and mortality, with lines like "You did a war, and now you're poor / And like your friends, you're gonna get it in the end".
The tone of the song is somewhat ambiguous, as the chorus emphasizes that the singer does not see old people as "losers", but then repeats the refrain "The old folks are losers / They can't work computers / They die in December time". These lines could be interpreted in a few different ways - as a reflection of how older generations are often portrayed as out-of-touch by younger people, or as a sarcastic comment on how ruthless and ageist society can be. The final lines of the song, "Fall down for no reason / The churches are heaving / The old folks remember why" suggest a kind of nostalgia or reverence for older people, despite the dismissive tone of the chorus.
Overall, "Old Folks" is a nuanced reflection on aging and intergenerational tension, sung from the perspective of someone who is caught between youth and old age. The song's lyrics provoke thought and reflection, and offer a commentary on how society values and treats older people.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know I'm born, I'm only young
I may not know much about life yet, but that's because I'm still young.
I don't have a choice, you know I'm only young
I don't get to make a lot of decisions yet because of my age.
I'm getting older, I'm getting smaller
As I age, I feel like I'm becoming less significant.
Everybody tells you, "you've got to walk taller"
As I grow up, people keep reminding me to be confident and stand up for myself.
You did a war, and now you're poor
If you've gone through a war, it likely left you in a financially unstable position.
And like your friends, you're gonna get it in the end
Just like your peers, you'll eventually face the consequences of your actions.
You've heard it all before
Everything you're being told is nothing new.
You can't go on much more
This can't continue forever.
It's not like I think
It's not that I believe this to be true.
The old folks are losers
They're often seen as lesser or incompetent due to their age.
They can't work computers
Their lack of familiarity with technology is often pointed out.
They die in December time
The elderly are often associated with death or dying in the winter.
Can't put it off, you put it on
Avoiding your responsibilities will ultimately catch up with you.
Don't ever stop, it doesn't last long
Life is short so keep going while you can.
The younger folk, they
The younger generation...
Don't understand, they
Have trouble comprehending the older folks and their ways.
Back in the day, they
In the past, the elderly were much more respected than they are now.
You're gonna get it in the end
Just like the older generation, eventually you'll have to face the consequences of your actions.
The old folks remember why
The elderly have valuable memories and experiences to share.
Fall down for no reason
As you age, your body may start to fail you and you may have accidents or injuries for seemingly no reason.
The churches are heaving
The only thing the elderly can do is attend church and pray for salvation.
I'm down on the floor, I'll settle down, do what I tell ya
I'll be obedient to those in charge, even if it means losing my own autonomy.
You're gonna get it in the end
No matter what, you'll eventually face the consequences of your actions.
The old folks are losers, they can't work computers
Once again, the elderly are looked down upon for their lack of tech literacy.
The old folks are losers
Unfortunately, many people see senior citizens as inferior or less valuable because of their age.
They die in December time
The idea of dying in winter continues to be associated with the elderly.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ADAM PERRY, DANIEL CARTER, GILES PERRY, JASON PERRY, MARK CHAPMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind