hush old man

tom paxton

hush old man

you sour old man

you and your crabbin' are gettin' old

the lord himself couldn't make you smile

the weather is always to too hot or too cold

bring me a drink o' water

son

cool drink of water would sure taste nice

i do believe the well's gone bad

or maybe you put in too much ice

hush old man

you sour old man

don't start up with the same complaints

drink it just like the young folks do

i swear you'd rile a trial of saints

believe i'd like to sleep outdoors

sleep outdoors in the air tonight

move my bed where the moon don't shine

can't fall asleep in the bright moonlight

hush old man

you sour old man

i'll move your bed and you'll sleep real tight

moonlight'll be no problem at all

a little moonshine and you'll sleep all night

open the door and let me in

can't quit shakin' or catch my breath

timberwolves come south for food

like they scared me to death

hush old man

you sour old man

swear you'll drive me off the place

ain't been wolves for fifty years

but a bluetick hound just lickin' your face

i'm an old man sure; i'm old and sour

crosses to bear and i don't know why

day by day and hour by hour

too mean to live

too scared to die

hush old man

you sour old man

i can't explain it; no-one can

it's hard for me to speak of love

so i won't - but stick around old man