C G C G C
The Old man told his story about the years gone by
F
How he played his horn down in New Orleans in some old dingy dive
C F
"I knew 'em all back then." he said as he reached out for his horn
F C G C
He closed his eyes and wet his lips then the blues were born.
He played with so much feelin', tears came from his eyes
He stopped and reminisced a bit and then he gave a sigh!
Said, "You know, I almost made it but that was before your time
Dixieland, Po' Folks Blues, ScatMan Jack and wine."
F G C F C F C
Slapped his knee and gave a grin, it sure was good back then
C G
Reaching for his horn on the floor
F G C F C F C
placed it in an old towsack that hung across his back
F C G C
He said "Goodbye!" then shuffled out the door
Enthused by what he told me, I never got his name
So, I called the waitress over and started to explain
A tired old man - his tarnished horn, mem'ries of years gone by
How he played his horn and reminisced, smiled with tear-dimmed eyes.
She said you are mistaken, there's been no one but you
But I know who you're talkin' 'bout, I used to know him, too
You'll find him down on Basin Street in back of an old churchyard
A stone that reads, "Rest in Peace", I tried but it sure was hard."
Chorus