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The Old Man Lyrics

Artist: John McDermott
Album: Old Friends

The tears have all been shed now
We've said our last goodbyes
His souls been blessed
He's laid to rest
And it's now I feel alone (That was what was wrong whit it erace this)
He was moer than just a father
A teacher my best friend
He can still be heard
In the tunes we shared
When we play them on our own

(Chorus)
I never will forget him
For he made me "what I am"
Though he may be gone
Memories linger on
And I miss him, the old man

As a boy he'd take me walking
By mountain field and stream
And he showed me things
not known to kings
And secret between him and me
Like the colours of the pheasant
As he rises in the dawn
And how to fish and make a wish
Beside the Holly Tree

I thought he'd live forever
He seemed so big and strong
But the minutes fly
And the years roll by
For a father and a son
And suddenly when it happened
There was so much left unsaid
No second chance
To tell him thanks
For everything he's done

Comments/Interpretations

by joe del broccolo on 5/15/2008 8:57pm
Every time this song is sung it tears apart my innards as I remember Dad, "my old man" and what he did for me.It is a great tribute for all Fathers.

by Ben on 6/3/2008 12:23am
yes, it is a great song. great tribute. live on pa, live on

by alan donohoe on 7/17/2008 3:47pm
my favourite song at the end of the night in the pub

by Bea on 3/30/2010 7:04am
He is the absolute best singer of Irish songs and The Old Man makes me cry every time I hear it. I losrt my Father and my husband and this song seems like a tribute to them both.

by Wilrico Coetzee on 4/13/2011 1:57pm
I lost my only Grandpa I ever could know 5 days before my first matrix final examn page in 2008. 2 days after he called me to wish me luck with the examn. He was always with everything behind me. Encourage me. He learn me to love some old classicle music when I play for him some of his records. I am his only grand son that love him, respect him and care for him. He was my grandpa, my friend, my Beesblaas. We use to share a turkish delight while listening to his music. I didn't go to his funaral. It was 2000km from ouer home town. And his last wish for me was that I do well in my Examn so that I can follow my dream to became a Game ranger. I decided to stay at home to write my Examn. Now, Everytime I heard this song my heartbeat slow down, my eyes water and I think of someone with almost the same life story as Vincent van Goch who lived in a world that was never ment to be for one as beautifull as him. And I miss him, the old man.

by Edward Vaughan on 2/11/2013 3:58am
I lost my Father in December, 1989 and I never will forget him and how he always tried to keep me on the straight and narrow. We did not always see eye to eye but as I grew older, I realized the wisdom of his advice over the years and how he always had my very best interest at heart. I only hope I can be worthy of being half the man he was as a husband, father and outstanding grandfather. Thanks for all you have done for me Pop and I hope to be joining you and Mom in heaven someday to tell you all the things that I never was able to say. I love you. Ed Vaughan

by Trevor Inman on 1/30/2015 8:54pm
My dad was a gamekeeper and he did really show me the colours of a pheasant.
He was a kind and gentle man and this song always produces a lump in my throat and a tear.
As he got older he began to dislike the idea of killing creatures for so called sport.
Nothing brings me closer to my dear dad.

by Mike H on 3/16/2015 12:06pm
amazing song. I saw him perform it at the Meadowlands with the Irish Tenors , not a dry eye in the house!

by Phil on 4/17/2017 3:07pm
this song was written by PHIL COULTER,NOT JOHN MCDERMOT.Well sung by Mr.Mcdermot but he did not write it!!!!!

by Thomas Kryger on 2/17/2018 1:53pm
My Father asked me 8 years ago to sing this song at his Funeral, For 8 years I have Practiced, never without a lump in my throat and tears in My Eyes.
3 weeks ago I sang it (Acapella) in Church, It was the hardest thing I have ever had To Do. But I did it,
My Best Friend for 57 years, I will truly Miss My Old Man

by W. H. LAMB on 6/13/2018 5:40am
One of the most beautiful and touching songs ever written. I tear up every time I hear it, just like John McDermott did when he sang it. I've always wished I had "an old man" like the one John sang about, but I didn't.

by K. Hess on 9/5/2018 11:29pm
My husband just passed and I’ve been looking for some special songs for his memorial. My stepson is our only child and I wanted something special for him to hear and found this beautiful song. I couldn’t ask for anything more loving and dear. Thank you

by Svend Erik Stein Laursen on 5/23/2022 6:39am
er der mon nogen der ved hvor jeg kan finder noderne til denne melodi

by Pat on 2/9/2023 6:22pm
I lost my Dad 40 years ago. He was my right arm , my hero , my best friend. When I hear this song all those times come back to me. Thank you Dad for everything . I love and miss you so much.

by Chris on 5/27/2023 3:06pm
I'm a touring solo singer/songwriter, and am of Irish heritage. My dad died two days ago and I have a gig tomorrow at which I'm going to attempt to play and sing this song. Wish me luck.

(Love ya Dad 💚.)