C5       G5        C5               G5          C5 
The Old man told his story about the years gone by 
       F5 
How he played his horn down in New Orleans in some old dingy dive 
C5                                                             F5 
"I knew 'em all back then." he said as he reached out for his horn 
  F5                C5                G5                   C5 
He closed his eyes and wet his lips then the blues were born. 
 
He played with so much feelin', tears came from his eyes 

He stopped and reminisced a bit and then he gave a sigh! 

Said, "You know, I almost made it but that was before your time 

Dixieland, Po' Folks Blues, ScatMan Jack and wine." 
 

       F5       G5   C5        F5      C5        F5                  C5                    
Slapped his knee and gave a grin, it sure was good back then 
C5                            G5 
Reaching for his horn on the floor 
F5      G5  C5     F5   C5            F5               C5 
placed it in an old towsack that hung across his back  
   F5                    C5        G5       C5 
He said "Goodbye!" then shuffled out the door       
 
Enthused by what he told me, I never got his name 

So, I called the waitress over and started to explain 

A tired old man - his tarnished horn, mem'ries of years gone by 

How he played his horn and reminisced, smiled with tear-dimmed eyes. 
 
She said you are mistaken, there's been no one but you 

But I know who you're talkin' 'bout, I used to know him , too 

You'll find him down on Basin Street in back of an old churchyard 

A stone that reads, "Rest in Peace", I tried but it sure was hard." 
 
Chorus