How old do you think I am he said I said well I didn't know He said I turned sixty five about eleven months ago I was sittin' in Miami pourin' blended whiskey down When this old grey black gentleman was cleanin' up the lounge There wasn't anyone around 'cept this old man and me The guy who ran the bar was watching Ironsides on TV Uninvited he sat down and opened up his mind On old dogs and children and watermelon wine Ever had a drink of watermelon wine he asked He told me all about it though I didn't answer back Ain't but three things in this world that's worth a solitary dime But old dogs and children and watermelon wine He said women think about theyselves when menfolk ain't around And friends are hard to find when they discover that you're down He said I tried it all when I was young and in my natural prime Now it's old dogs and children and watermelon wine Old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes God bless little children while they're still too young to hate When he moved away I found my pen and copied down that line 'Bout old dogs and children and watermelon wine
[ harmonica ]
I had to catch a plane up to Atlanta that next day As I left for my room I saw him pickin' up my change That night I dreamed in peaceful sleep of shady summertime Of old dogs and children and watermelon wine.