There was a lot of talking about Toby Keith, upon his untimely death recently. The best I heard was the line “Don’t let the old man in”.
It was told to Keith by Clint Eastwood when he was asked how he keeps going.
“He said, ‘I just get up every morning and go out. And I don’t let the old man in,’ ” Keith recounts. “And I thought, I’m writing that.”
Toby Keith
It really resonated with me, especially this week. This is my second week at the gym, and it’s better. Better than it was last week, anyhow. I’m still not deathly sore the next day or so. I’m a little stiff, but it fades when I get up and move about.
Every day is filled for me – Feed/Walk dogs, work, workout, cleanup, fix things. I’m moving until 8 at night, usually. That’s when I sit. Soon after, the gurl calls and we talk for an hour or so. But it seems to be the way for most of the older gentlemen I know. And being in the Knights of Columbus, I know a fair few of them. Most stay very active. Their weeks are busier than mine, and I work for a living.
I’m over sixty, but I find myself reverting to the way I was before I was married, over 34 years ago. Attitude, fitness, hobbies, everything is that of a man a fraction of my age.
I will be doing something until I drop dead. And if God smiles on me that’s what’ll happen. After all it’s better to burn out than it is to rust. (as an aside – listen to that Neil Yong clip in that link. That is probably a Martin D-28 that he’s using, as I recall. Listen to it absolutely sing!)
What I didn’t realize is that Toby Keith recorded the song and it was used in Eastwood’s movie “The Mule”. Funny Stuff, he recorded it with a cold for the first time, resulting in a gravelly tone. They liked it for the movie, so in it went.
Don’t let the old man in
I wanna leave this alone
Can’t leave it up to him
He’s knocking on my door
And I knew all of my life
That someday it would end
Get up and go outside
Don’t let the old man in
Many moons I have lived
My body’s weathered and worn
Ask yourself how old you’d be
If you didn’t know the day you were born
Try to love on your wife
And stay close to your friends
Toast each sundown with wine
Don’t let the old man in
When he rides up on his horse
And you feel that cold bitter wind
Look out your window and smile
Don’t let the old man in
Look out your window and smile
Don’t let the old man in
Inspected By Pat 