The Old Guard

from Ghost on the Car Radio by Slaid Cleaves

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lyrics

The Old Guard
by Slaid Cleaves / Mike Morgan / Jeff Elliott

Dickie's Place is a tavern where I often go
Like tonight when this heart of mine is achin' low
Through swinging doors I hear the voice of old George Jones
I find myself a bar stool and I'm right at home

The old guard down at Dickie's drinks up all night long
Every face, lined and weary, hides a country song
Ruined lives, broken dreams, countless cold regrets
On the jukebox, their stories told in silhouette

Cheatin' Hearts, Crazy Arms, now it's Crying Time
Heartbreak goes down easier with beer and rhyme
Every night we get together to be with our own
And the old guard feels a little less alone

Then some kids they start playin' their fast modern tunes
And the floor bounces when they dance around the room
We talk sports and weather and work and such
Until one of the old guard says he's had enough

He starts punching in the numbers of the ones we feel
Those old heart-breakin' melodies with cryin' steel
The young ones start leaving, it's too slow and hard
But they'll be back when it's their turn to join the guard

Cheatin' Hearts, Crazy Arms, now it's Crying Time
Heartbreak goes down easier with beer and rhyme
Every night we get together to be with our own
And the old guard feels a little less alone

credits

from Ghost on the Car Radio, released June 18, 2017
drums: John Chipman
bass: Harmoni Kelley
electric and acoustic guitars, background vocals: Scrappy Jud Newcomb

produced by Scrappy Jud Newcomb

recorded by David Boyle at Churchhouse, East Austin, Texas

mixed and mastered by Fred Remmert, Austin, Texas

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about

Slaid Cleaves Wimberley, Texas

Modern day traveling folk singer. He’s telling your story. Writes and records songs that strike people’s hearts and become a part of their lives.

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