Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon Wine
Reflections on Life's Essence: Old Dogs, Children, and Memories
Lyrics
How old do you think I am he said I said well I didn't know
The speaker is asked about their age, and they admit to not knowing.
He said I turned sixty five about eleven months ago
The person reveals they turned sixty-five nearly a year ago.
I was sittin' in Miami pourin' blended whiskey down
The speaker was in Miami, drinking whiskey, when they met an older African American man.
When this old gray black gentleman was cleanin' up the lounge
An elderly black man was cleaning the lounge where the speaker was drinking.
There wasn't anyone around 'cept this old man and me
Only the speaker and the old man were present; the bar owner was watching TV.
The guy who ran the bar was watching Iron sides on TV
The bar owner was engrossed in watching "Ironside" on TV.
Uninvited he sat down and opened up his mind
The old man joined the speaker without an invitation, sharing his thoughts.
On old dogs and children and watermelon wine
He started discussing the value of old dogs, children, and watermelon wine.
Ever had a drink of watermelon wine he asked
The old man asks if the speaker has ever had watermelon wine.
He told me all about it though I didn't answer back
Even without a response, he talks about it.
Ain't but three things in this world that's worth a solitary dime
The old man believes only three things have significant value: old dogs, children, and watermelon wine.
But old dogs and children and watermelon wine
Reiterates the value of old dogs, children, and watermelon wine.
He said women think about they selves when menfolk ain't around
The man suggests that women focus on themselves when men aren't present.
And friends are hard to find when they discover that you're down
He implies that friends might desert you when you're in trouble.
He said I tried it all when I was young and in my natural prime
Reflects on his past experiences and how he lived life fully in his youth.
Now it's old dogs and children and watermelon wine
Now, he values old dogs, children, and watermelon wine.
Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes
Old dogs care for you, even when you err.
God bless little children while they're still too young to hate
The man blesses young children who are innocent and haven't learned to hate.
When he moved away I found my pen and copied down that line
The speaker is moved by the old man's words and writes down the line about old dogs, children, and watermelon wine.
Bout old dogs and children and watermelon wine
Reflecting on the impactful line about old dogs, children, and watermelon wine.
I had to catch a plane up to Atlanta that next day
The speaker had to leave for Atlanta the next day.
As I left for my room I saw him pickin' up my change
They observe the old man picking up their change as they leave.
That night I dreamed in peaceful sleep of shady summertime
The speaker dreams peacefully about old dogs, children, and watermelon wine.
Of old dogs and children and watermelon wine
The dream continues, reflecting the impact of the old man's words.
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