
Western Song: Old Timer
Old Timer is a song in Waymore’s Blues (Part II) album by Waylon Jennings, an American country music artist. It was recorded and released at a time in Jennings ’career without being signed to any major label. Waymore’s Blues (Part II) is a one-off return to RCA for Jennings following brief endings with MCA Records and Epic Records. It was produced by Don Was, who would lend his unique work style to The Highwaymen’s The Road Goes on Forever a year later. Jennings later stated that they clicked from the start of the first take, which was the title cut, and instructed the musicians to forget about everything they had ever heard him do.
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About the Song Old Timer
The Old Timer is a song that is very dear to Jennings’ heart. It is a touching story about an old mountain man from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, who falls in love with a woman from St. Paul. She came to visit her brother, and they met each other in the wilds. He couldn’t tell her he loved her. Members of the Western Writers of America chose the song as one of the top 100 Western songs of all time.
Waymore’s Blues (Part II) Tracklist
Most of the songs included in the album were written by Waylon Jennings. Here’s the tracklist:
- Endangered Species
- Waymore’s Blues (Part II)
- This Train (Russell’s Song)
- Wild Ones
- No Good for Me
- Old Timer (The Song)
- Up in Arkansas
- Nobody Knows
- Come Back and See Me
- You Don’t Mess Around with Me
Listen (Waylon Jennings Version)
Old Timer Lyrics
I grew up in Wyoming In and around Jackson's hole In the shadows of the Tetons Where summers are hot And winters unbearably cold But the Spring and the Fall Are always as good as it gets For over 70 years now I'd watch the sun rise and set I've been a cowboy Working the round-ups in spring I've lived in the mountains Hunted the grizzly Trapping the rivers and streams Always the loner I've treasured my freedom the most And though i never married As a young man I might have come close From somewhere back east She came to the valley With a man who did her no good He was fast with the ladies A tin horn gambler And a cheat whenever he could She had no friends or family Most of the time he was gone He died in a card game And she found herself all alone Alone and afraid and left unprotected 'Cause he was all that she had Maybe I should have But Inever told her So she never knew he was bad But I'll always remember Standing and watching her cry There was no one to help her But I was determined to try I mended her fences and Fixed up her cabin I had everything looking good I laid by her food And wood for the winter Helping wherever I could The more I was around her The more I wanted to be There was something about her That brought out a good side of me I went into town, I brought a new outfit I got me a haircut and shave I'd trek through the snow For no good reason Just to go by her cabin each day I don't know about love But Iwas quite taken in by it all Till her brother came in the Spring And he took her back to St. Paul I don't go down to Jackson Ain't nothing there but motels and bars Too damn many tourists No place to hide They'll find you wherever you are They like to call me old timer I am getting older I guess But i don't like the changes 'Cause I've seen it all at its best When my life is over I don't want to be left in town But up in the mountains There is a place I've marked off my own piece of ground High in the Tetons Above and away from it all From the top of old Grand I bet on a clear day - you can see All the way to St. Paul
Minton J Miller
This article told me everything I want to know EXCEPT the one thing I have been searching for 20 years. This song was based on a short story in a book oc short stories about the west. Does anyone have a clue what that story is and who wrote it? I would love to read it.