When we are driving in the country and see old houses like this one, I always think about the song This Old House. The song was written by Stuart Hamblen, and you can find the lyrics below.
The story goes that Hamblen was hunting with his friend, John Wayne, when they came upon an old house in the mountains. Inside, they found the body of a man, guarded by his dog. Hamblen's song came from that experience.
This Old House
written by
Stuart Hamblen
This old house once knew my wife
This old house was home and shelter as we fought the storms of life
This old house once rang with laughter
This old house heard many shouts
Now she trembles in the darkness when the lightnin` walks about
Ain`t gonna need this house no longer
Ain`t 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 window pane
Ain`t gonna need this house no longer
I`m getting ready to meet the saints
This old house is getting shaky
This old house is getting old
This old house lets in the rain and
This old house lets in the cold
On my knees I`m getting chilly
But I feel no fear or pain
`Cause I see an angel peeking through
A broken window pane
Ain`t gonna need this house no longer
Ain`t 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 window pane
Ain`t gonna need this house no longer
I`m getting ready to meet the saints
Now my old hound dog lies asleeping
He don`t know I`m gonna leave
Else he`d wake up by the fireplace
And he`d sit there, howl and grieve
But my hunting days are over
I aint gonna hunt the `coon no more
Gabriel done brought in chariot
When the wind blew down the door
Ain`t gonna need this house no longer
Ain`t 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 window pane
Ain`t gonna need this house no longer
I`m getting ready to meet the saints
Click here to hear a version by the Cathedral Quartet. Enjoy!
