Lyrics
Down the drain pipe 'cross the yard and through the fence
Describing a path taken through a yard and fence, indicating a risky journey.
I risked a whoopin' every time I went
Highlighting the speaker's willingness to face punishment for the journey.
'Cause white boys weren't allowed on the colored side of town
Explaining racial segregation, mentioning the speaker's defiance of norms.
But I was proud to call that old black man my friend
Expressing pride in a friendship that defied racial barriers.
He had a pillow by the bed he used to pray on
Describing the old man's prayer habits and possession of a worn-out guitar.
And a beat up old guitar he let me play on
Depicting the accessibility the speaker had to the old man's guitar.
And I knew where my fingers went from his greasy fingerprints
Noting the familiarity gained by playing the guitar, indicated by fingerprints.
Yeah, he was passin' on what was handed down to him
Highlighting the passing down of musical tradition from the old man.
And it soaked up all the blood and sweat and teardrops
Metaphorically referencing the guitar absorbing the old man's life experiences.
And the beers he missed in smoky little bars
Referring to the hardships and sacrifices endured by the old man in bars.
And sometimes that old man he comes alive in my hands
Indicating a connection between the speaker and the old man when playing the guitar.
I feel the beating of his sad old broken heart
Feeling the emotions and struggles of the old man through the guitar.
Just like there's a ghost in this guitar, a ghost in this guitar
Expressing the idea that the guitar carries the spirit or essence of the old man.
Well, the night before he died he made me take it
Narrating the old man passing the guitar to the speaker before his death.
Well he said, "You play it now, 'cause I gotta go"
Quoting the old man's instruction to play the guitar after his departure.
And I can feel him in my fingers when I play it
Feeling the presence of the old man when playing the guitar.
'Cause sometimes I'm in control and sometimes I just sit back
Expressing a dual sense of control and surrender while playing the guitar.
And let him go, I sit back and let him go
Describing moments of letting the old man's spirit take over during play.
And it soaked up all the blood and sweat and teardrops
Reiterating the guitar's absorption of the old man's life experiences.
And the beers he missed in smoky little bars
Recalling the challenges faced by the old man in smoky bars.
And sometimes that old man he comes alive in my hands
Reaffirming the connection between the speaker and the old man through the guitar.
I feel the beating of his sad old broken heart
Feeling the emotional heartbeat of the old man through the guitar.
Just like there's a ghost in this guitar, a ghost in this guitar
Repeating the idea of the guitar embodying the spirit of the old man.
Take a listen to the ghost in this guitar
Encouraging the listener to perceive the presence of the old man in the guitar.
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