Old Cape Cod
Timeless Wisdom: Old Dogs, Children, and Watermelon Wine
Lyrics
"How old do you think I am?" he said
The man asks the speaker about his perceived age.
I said, well, I didn't know
The speaker admits not knowing the man's age.
He said, "I turned 65 about 11 months ago"
The man reveals he turned 65 nearly a year ago.
I was sitting in Miami pouring blended whiskey down
The speaker is in Miami drinking whiskey.
When this old gray black gentleman was cleaning up the lounge
An elderly African American man is cleaning the lounge.
There wasn't anyone around except this old man and me
Only the speaker and the old man are present; the bar owner is watching TV.
The guy who ran the bar was watching ironsides on tv
The bar owner is occupied watching TV show "Ironsides."
Uninvited, he sat down and opened up his mind
The old man joins the speaker without invitation, sharing his thoughts.
On old dogs and children and watermelon wine
He discusses the value of certain things in life like old dogs, children, and watermelon wine.
"Ever had a drink of watermelon wine?" he asked
The man asks if the speaker has tasted watermelon wine.
He told me all about it, though I didn't answer back
He talks about it despite the speaker's lack of response.
Ain't but three things in this world that's worth a solitary dime
Expresses that only three things in life hold much value.
But old dogs and children and watermelon wine
Reiterates the significance of old dogs, children, and watermelon wine.
He said, women think about they-selves, when menfolk ain't around
Observation about women's thoughts and actions when men aren't around.
And friends are hard to find when they discover that you're down
Commentary on the challenges of finding true friends when facing difficulties.
He said, I tried it all when I was young and in my natural prime
Reflects on having experienced life's pleasures in youth.
Now its old dogs and children and watermelon wine
Emphasizes a shift in priorities towards simpler, more meaningful things.
Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes
Highlights the loyalty of old dogs despite mistakes.
God bless little children while they're still too young to hate
Blesses the innocence of young children who haven't learned hate.
When he moved away I found my pen and copied down that line
The speaker takes note of the old man's words and writes them down.
About old dogs and children and watermelon wine
Reflects again on the importance of old dogs, children, and watermelon wine.
I had to catch a plane up to Atlanta that next day
The speaker is leaving for Atlanta the following day.
As I left for my room I saw him picking up my change
The old man is seen picking up the speaker's change.
That night I dreamed in peaceful sleep of shady summertime
The speaker dreams peacefully about the mentioned meaningful elements.
Of old dogs and children and watermelon wine
The dream involves old dogs, children, and watermelon wine.
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