From the recording Adirondack
Lyrics
I’ve got an old friend coming up on fifty
He said, “John, you know I love my son and daughter
I work hard; I’ve been thrifty
But I just can’t seem to keep my head above water”
So I help him out the best I can
Cause he does the same for me
Since we were kids we’ve always been
As close as friends can be
But life just tends to break your heart
In ways you can’t foresee
Sometimes the best we can do is to keep each other company
I had an uncle; he always was a joker
You know he made me laugh when I really felt like crying
He also was a heavy smoker
And one day he called to tell me he was dying
When I realized he was serious
I was ready to save the day
I said, “I know this thing is hard to beat
But we’re gonna find a way”
He said, “I’ve had a good run, and I’m too far gone
And chemo’s not for me
I think the best we can do is to keep each other company”
Life is long then life is short
And you wonder where it went
The years fly by in the wink of an eye
And you wonder what it meant
Some things you change and some you can’t
That’s a truth you have to own
But there ain’t no need to face it all alone
I’ve got a problem; I’m the first to admit it
When I start to drink I don’t how to stop it
I’ve always known I’ve got to quit it
But when I pick up that ball I always seem to drop it
Then after so many years of telling my wife
It’s a thing I won’t discuss
I went to one of those meetings
Where everyone is anonymous
And it was funny how all those strangers
Were so similar to me
Sometimes the best we can do is to keep each other company