Old And In The Way - Lyrics - Hazel Dickens

Hazel Jane Dickens was an American bluegrass singer, songwriter, double bassist and guitarist. Her music was characterized not only by her high, lonesome singing style, but also by her provocative pro-union, feminist songs. Cultural blogger John Pietaro noted that "Dickens didnât just sing the anthems of labor, she lived them and her place on many a picket line, staring down gunfire and goon squads, embedded her into the cause." The New York Times extolled her as "a clarion-voiced advocate for coal miners and working people and a pioneer among women in bluegrass music." With Alice Gerrard, Dickens was one of the first women to record a bluegrass album.

As you walk down the street – how often do you meet Some poor man whose life has life had grown old? His aged form is bent – in his pocket not a cent And for shelter knows not where to go See that poor old wreck of toil – his children him do shun To die I'm sure he has prayed For himself and dear wife after toilin' all their lives Find they're old and only in the way Chorus So let us cheer them on – they won't be with us long Don't laugh because they're old and gray Just remember while you're young that for you the time will come When you're old and only in the way Now my message, I'm sure, is for the rich as well as poor Take a rich man when he's growin' old His relations 'round him stand – and they take him by the hand They want him to die – they want his gold. All through life he has enjoyed all the things that gold can buy But gold – his life could not save. After all he's like the poor when his journey's nearly o're 'Find he's old and only in the way Chorus So let us cheer them on – they won't be with us long Don't laugh because they're old and gray Just remember while you're young that for you the time will come When you're old and only in the way