Tom T. Hall - Old Dogs and Children and Watermelon Wine

Another oldie but goodie!!



Studio cut version of Old Dogs and Children and Watermelon Wine performed by Tom T. Hall. One of his greatest hits in the 1970's.



Old Dogs and Children and Watermelon Wine
"How old do you think I am," he said?
I said, well, I didn't know.
He said, "I turned 65 about 11 months ago."

I was sittin' in Miami, pouring blended whiskey down
When this old gray, black gentleman was cleaning up the lounge.

There wasn't anyone around, except this old man and me.
The guy who ran the bar was watching Ironside on TV.
Uninvited, he sat down and opened up his mind
On old dogs and children and watermelon wine.

"Ever had a drink of watermelon wine," he asked.
He told me all about it, though I didn't answer back.
"Ain't but three things in this world that's worth a solitary dime,
But old dogs and children and watermelon wine."

He said, "Women think about themselves, when men-folk ain't around.
And friends are hard to find when they discover that you're down."
He said, "I tried it all when I was young and in my natural prime,
Now it's old dogs and children and watermelon wine."

"Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes.
God bless little children while they're still to young to hate."
When he moved away I found my pen and copied down that line
About old dogs and children and watermelon wine.

I had to catch a plane up to Atlanta that next day.
As I left for my room I saw him picking up my change.
That night I dreamed in peaceful sleep of shady summertime,
Of old dogs and children and watermelon wine.

Comments:

I'd like to taste watermellon wine! There is a winery just a few miles from my house. Maybe I'll suggest that to them and they will make it and then thank me by giving me a bottle! Then I can invite all my blog friends over to sit on my deck, watch the sun set and we can talk about children, old dogs and drink watermellon wine! Ahhhh...

comment by mzscarlett on July 22, 2008 2:42 PM ()

Ahhhh that sounds like a good idea mzscarlett!!

reply by texastar on July 22, 2008 2:46 PM ()

My oh my, watermelon wine does sound tasty!

comment by marta on July 18, 2008 4:56 PM ()

It sure does!!

reply by texastar on July 19, 2008 4:32 AM ()

I love Tommy T.! Ever his song, "I Like Beer"? If not, you haven't lived!

comment by hayduke on July 18, 2008 8:23 AM ()

Yes, my hubby and I were telling our son about his songs and that one came up. I also like Sneaky Snake. Do you remember that one? My niece was just a little tyke at the time it was popular but she would sing along with it.

reply by texastar on July 19, 2008 4:32 AM ()

comment by shesaidwhat on July 18, 2008 6:09 AM ()

I have never had it but, I bet it is very good.

reply by texastar on July 19, 2008 4:31 AM ()

Hey... my type of music!!!! I can always count on you to find the oldies, but goodies.

comment by anniel on July 17, 2008 3:30 PM ()

Thanks Annie!! I think it must be the hard financial times for our country that is reminding me of these songs in the 70's and early 80's. Too many memories of high gas prices for folks back then and long gas lines. Gas shortages. Energy crisis. Also, finding I can play some of these songs on my guitar.

reply by texastar on July 19, 2008 4:30 AM ()

You know that's a true story right? He left the guy $1000 dollars as a "tip""..

comment by elfie33 on July 17, 2008 1:56 PM ()

I didn't know that but, I'm not surprised. That was a LOT of money back in the 70's.

reply by texastar on July 17, 2008 1:58 PM ()