A man named Stuart Hamblen was out hunting with his friend, John Wayne (the actor), when they came across an old tumbled down shack out in the middle of nowhere. They opened the door and discovered the place was a broken down mess inside as well. They also discovered a body. The guy who lived there had apparently died alone, in that old house.
The experience inspired Mr. Hamblen to write "This Old House," - or so the story goes.
Some of the lyrics:
This ole house once knew his children
This ole house once knew his wife
This ole house was home and comfort
As they fought the storms of life
This old house once rang with laughter
This old house heard many shouts
Now he trembles in the darkness
When the lightnin' walks about
CHORUS:
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
Ain't a-gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the windowpane
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
He's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints
This ole house is a-gettin' shaky
This ole house is a-gettin' old
This ole house lets in the rain
This ole house lets in the cold
On his knees I'm gettin' chilly
But he feel no fear nor pain
'Cause he see an angel peekin'
Through a broken windowpane
This ole house dog lies a-sleepin'
He don't know I'm gonna leave
Else he'd wake up by the fireplace
And he'd sit there and howl and grieve
But my huntin' days are over
Ain't gonna hunt the coon no more
Gabriel done brought in my chariot
When the wind blew down the door
This song has been going through my head for days, instigated most likely by our recent hiring of a plumber to fix a couple of leaks that were causing huge water bills (like, $200/month).
I remember it well from my childhood, many years ago. Back then we lived in an old house and my Dad was always making repairs. But even as a 10 year old I got it that the guy wasn't just singing about a house.
And I definitely remember a man singing it, although Rosemary Clooney is the singer who made it famous.
I like the simple faith expressed in this song, and it's tone of cheerful acceptance.
The experience inspired Mr. Hamblen to write "This Old House," - or so the story goes.
Some of the lyrics:
This ole house once knew his children
This ole house once knew his wife
This ole house was home and comfort
As they fought the storms of life
This old house once rang with laughter
This old house heard many shouts
Now he trembles in the darkness
When the lightnin' walks about
CHORUS:
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
Ain't a-gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the windowpane
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
He's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints
This ole house is a-gettin' shaky
This ole house is a-gettin' old
This ole house lets in the rain
This ole house lets in the cold
On his knees I'm gettin' chilly
But he feel no fear nor pain
'Cause he see an angel peekin'
Through a broken windowpane
This ole house dog lies a-sleepin'
He don't know I'm gonna leave
Else he'd wake up by the fireplace
And he'd sit there and howl and grieve
But my huntin' days are over
Ain't gonna hunt the coon no more
Gabriel done brought in my chariot
When the wind blew down the door
This song has been going through my head for days, instigated most likely by our recent hiring of a plumber to fix a couple of leaks that were causing huge water bills (like, $200/month).
I remember it well from my childhood, many years ago. Back then we lived in an old house and my Dad was always making repairs. But even as a 10 year old I got it that the guy wasn't just singing about a house.
And I definitely remember a man singing it, although Rosemary Clooney is the singer who made it famous.
I like the simple faith expressed in this song, and it's tone of cheerful acceptance.
No comments:
Post a Comment