He had plastic bags wrapped 'round his shoes
He was covered with the evening news
Had a pair of old wool socks on his hands
Bank sign was flashing five below
It was freezing rain and spitting snow
He was curled up behind some garbage cans
I was afraid that he was dead
I gave him a gentle shake
When he opened up his eyes
I said, "Old man, are you okay?"
What'd he say, Jelly?
I just climbed out of a cottonwood tree
I was running from some honey bees
Drip-drying in the summer breeze
After jumping into Calico Creek
I was walking down an old dirt road
Past a field of hay that had just been mowed
Man, I wish you'd just left me alone
'Cause I was almost home
Then he said, "I's just comin' round the barn
'Bout the time you grabbed my arm"
When I heard momma holler, "Son, hurry up"
I was close enough for my old nose
To smell fresh cobbler on the stove
And I saw daddy loading up the truck
Cane poles on the tailgate
Bobbers blowing in the wind
Since July of '55
That's as close as I've been
Yeah, I just climbed out of a cottonwood tree
I was running from some honey bees
Drip-drying in the summer breeze
After jumping into Calico Creek
I was walking down an old dirt road
Past a field of hay that had just been mowed
Man, I wish you'd just left me alone
'Cause I was almost home
I said, "Old man, you're gonna freeze to death
Let me drive you to the mission"
He said, "Boy, if you'd left me alone
Right now, I'd be fishing"
I just climbed out of a cottonwood tree
I was running from some honey bees
Drip-drying in the summer breeze
After jumping into Calico Creek
I was walking down an old dirt road
Past a field of hay that had just been mowed
Man, I wish you'd just left me alone
'Cause I was almost home (I was almost home)
Man, I wish you'd just left me alone
'Cause I was almost home
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