Old Man Jones | Teen Ink

Old Man Jones

April 24, 2019
By Stephen_C BRONZE, Rochdale, Massachusetts
Stephen_C BRONZE, Rochdale, Massachusetts
1 article 0 photos 0 comments

Down on the low, Old Man Jones?

Sitting down there with your old guitar?

Sitting down by the corner, with a hand on your shoulder

Wonderin’ how anyone could’ve gotten this far?


You got some money in your pocket,

and a box with some strings in your hands.

Couple hundred more dollars,

and you and the missus’ll be in good hands.


You stole the show, ‘ey Old Man Jones?

The bar’s been roaring for you and your old guitar?

Wife’s got drunkards on the table, gettin’ dough by the stables

And you’re just here, wonderin’; “How’d we get this far?”


Got some money in the locker

and a box with some strings in your hands.

Y’all out here, living the good life

and by god, you both did it “no planned.”


You’re on the road now, Old Man Jones?

Got some wheels and a brand new guitar?

A couple drinks in the cooler, you’re an old style schooler,

and your name’s a staple, thinking “yeah, I got this far.”


Yet your life’s in the gutter

and your missus can’t even call you friend.

You’re wondering where it all went wrong, and you can only sing your song

until you realize, “...it’s time I make some amends.”


So you finally did it, Old Man Jones?

Yourself, a family and some old guitars?

Wife’s got chicken on the table; Johnny’s helpin’ at the stable,

And little Suzy’s out watching the stars?


Well, you got me here starstruck

and if you ask me, I’ve got no real plans.

So if you don’t mind if I dare, I’ll stay and kick up a chair,

‘cause by god, are you a real good man.


By god, you’re a damn good man.


The author's comments:

At first, I was really just trying to write a bit of a free verse piece for an assignment. Something fun, but still made with a bit of care. But after a while, I started getting a bit of a rhythm to it, and decided to make it a little bit of a diddy, so to speak! It was nice to see everything wrap up in a neat little bow! And with a bit of inspiration coming to mind with this had to be the songs "Stuck In The Middle With You" by Stealer's Wheel and "Desolation Row" by Bob Dylan! 


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