C. Daniel Boling

Lyrics

OLD FRIENDS
©2022 Tom Paxton – Bristow Songs / SESAC
& Daniel Boling – Perfectly Stable Music / ASCAP

Red and I go way back to the start of 2nd Grade
We met in the schoolyard where all the games are played
I was It – I tagged him – I guess I tagged too hard
He slugged me and there we were rolling around the yard

You know we got over that – I don’t remember how
We became the best of friends – That’s all that matters now
Red’s the only one still here of all my childhood friends
One by one they pass away – Every good thing ends

Old friends last forever
Old friends don’t fade away

Red and I played baseball – We sang tenor in the choir
We dated two Smith sisters – Living high but aiming higher
We were close as brothers, and then one awful day
The Draft Board called his number and the war took Red away

Red came back from Viet Nam a completely different man
He’d seen things he didn’t think I’d ever understand
For a couple years we seemed to go our separate ways
Till on tearful, beerful night we remembered better days

Old friends last forever
Old friends don’t fade away

Red’s been sinking slowly – We’re not young men anymore
Memories seem sweeter than they ever did before
We’re back there on that playground – We both remember when
I touch him on the arm and whisper, “Tag, you’re It again,
Old friend,
Last forever
Old friend
Don’t fade away”

Old friends last forever
Old friends don’t fade away