Old Home Place
Nostalgic Farewell: Stories Sold with the Old Homeplace Melody
Lyrics
(They're selling the homeplace today)
They are selling the family home today.
Yeah they're sellin' me out today just lost too much money too many years in a row
The speaker is being forced to sell due to financial losses over several years.
And since pa died I ain't got no help
Since the father's death, there's been no assistance, making it harder to sustain the home.
Ma was waitin' for quite some time before she went to join pa
The mother waited a long time before passing away and reuniting with the father.
And all the rest of the poor souls upstairs now I can't keep my notes so long to stay
Other departed family members make it challenging for the speaker to stay in the house.
So they're sellin' that old homeplace lock stock and barrel
The entire property, including everything in it, is being sold.
There's ma's old churn they're sellin' that right now
The churn, a butter-making device, is being sold.
Many hours I'd pass that old rescal see that nail up there on the handle
Recalling memories of the churn, including painful moments, as it is being sold.
I pinched my finger on that many a time wore some blisters too
Reflecting on injuries from the churn, expressing sentimental value.
It's sold oh they're all gone there goes pa's old windup clock
The father's windup clock is being sold, symbolizing the passage of time.
Many a night I watched him wind that old clock
Memories of the father winding the clock and praying for a better future.
With a prayer on his lips for a better tomorrow dad's gone so's the old clock
With the father gone, the clock represents a lost connection to the past.
And that organ ma played many a Sunday afternnon use to entertain us
The organ played by the mother, a source of entertainment and joy, is being sold.
And company too when they'd come over to us
Recalling the social gatherings and music played on the organ.
For some good churn music and good time numbers it's sold
Expressing the sadness of selling cherished items like the organ.
There's that Sue yeah that's her I called her my first girl friend
Mentioning a person named Sue, the speaker's first girlfriend.
And that's doggone she's married now got two kids real fine husband
Sue is now married with children, reflecting the passage of time.
Bet she's happy too hope so
Wishing happiness for Sue in her married life.
There it went hey there comes them old mules Dolly and Polly
Noticing the departure of mules named Dolly and Polly.
And that doggone Dolly Brown-show-off she always did that
Describing Dolly Brown as a show-off but acknowledging their hard work.
A faithful pair though never quit worked all day
Highlighting the mules' dedication to work throughout the day.
Took what bit of hay you had to give 'em at night for supper
Feeding the mules at night and preparing them for the next day's work.
And ready to go back again at it the next day they're sold sold so's my soul
Expressing the emotional toll of selling the mules and the home.
The Good Book says as you sow so shall you reap
Quoting a biblical saying about reaping what one sows, suggesting consequences.
And boys I sure made a poor crop this year yeah they're sellin' me out this year
Admitting to a poor harvest and the consequences of financial difficulties.
The banker gave me some good pocket money and said he was sorry
The banker offers sympathy, but the speaker remains regretful.
Sorry well so am I they're sellin' that old place out today
Expressing the pain of selling the family home.
And let me tell you it hurts a little bit too (they're selling the homeplace today)
Reiterating the emotional difficulty of selling the home.
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