Old Folks
Gianni Basso 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
Gianni Basso's song "Old Folks" is a touching tribute to an elderly person who is beloved in the community. The lyrics speak of the man as being as free as a bird and as good as his word, qualities that have made him endearing to everyone who knows him. The comparison to the seasons coming and going hints at the man's age and the inevitability of his eventual passing.
The details in the song paint a picture of Old Folks' daily routines, including leaving his spoon in his coffee and tucking his napkin up under his chin. The mention of the yellow cow-pie is likely a reference to Old Folks' taste in food, which may not be shared by everyone but is accepted and even celebrated because of its association with him. The image of him going fishing every Friday, despite only catching a few perch, adds to the sense of his being a beloved fixture in the community.
The final verse is particularly poignant, as it acknowledges that eventually Old Folks will be gone and the town will be a lonelier place without him. The children's voices at play will be still for a day when he is no longer there, a reminder that even in death, he will leave an indelible mark on the community that he was such an important part of.
Line by Line Meaning
Everyone knows him as Old Folks
Old Folks is a well-known personality in the town who is recognized by everyone.
Like the seasons, he'll come and he'll go
Old Folks has a routine, and after a while, he stays for some time and then off goes somewhere else.
Just as free as a bird and as good as his word
Old Folks is a free bird who always keeps his promises.
That's why everybody loves him so
Old Folks is loved by everyone in the town because of his good nature and reliability.
Always leaving his spoon in his coffee
Old Folks is absent-minded, often forgetting to remove his spoon from his coffee cup.
Tucks his napkin up under his chin
Old Folks is a neat and tidy person who makes sure that his clothes are not soiled while eating.
And that yellow cow-pie is so mellow it's ripe
Old Folks enjoys eating cheese with a strong odor, and people shouldn't be ashamed to try it too.
But you needn't be ashamed of him
Old Folks is unapologetically himself, and people shouldn't be embarrassed to be associated with him.
Every Friday he'll go fishing, down on his favorite lake
Old Folks likes to fish in his favorite lake every Friday.
But he only hooks a perch or two, the whale got away
Old Folks isn't always successful when he goes fishing, and sometimes he can only catch a little fish or none at all.
Looks like we warm the steak
Since Old Folks can't catch big fish to cook, they have to look for other options like a steak to keep hunger at bay.
Someday there'll be no more Old Folks
Old Folks will eventually leave the town or pass away someday.
What a lonesome old town this will be
The town will be miserable without Old Folks, and no one can replace him.
Children's voice at play, will be still for a day
The kids in the town will be silent for a day when Old Folks is no more.
The day they take the Old Folks away
The town will lose a valuable community member when Old Folks is no more.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DEDETTE LEE HILL, WILLARD ROBISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind