Old Mates - Slim Dusty

I met a friend the other day

a mate from the olden times

before the shadow of age had dimmed

our shimmer of youth will shine

he looked at me and I looked at him

and we thought what the years can do

the miles in between have been long and hard

for both of that was true

I remember him now as I knew him then

it’s funny how fancy strains

and I thought of the girls and the cups he’d won

back in his dancing days

he remembered me as he knew me best

in places where bright lights shine

where hearts were light and the parties were bright

and the key to them both was wine

Instrumental

Then both of us looked out across the road

as we did in the olden days

and we said to each other for old times sake

to heck what the doctor says

we dressed at the bar as we used to do

drank brandy and beer at will

and we chatted the bar maids and blokes all around

and joined in the evening swill

we looked at each other, then at the drinks

and then with a ruefull smile

we drank to the good old days that were

and the hell with the last long mile

we parted outside the old swinging doors

of the place that was once our shrine

then he shuffled away on his walking stick

and I hobbled away on mine