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Jonesy
Words and Music by Peter Mathieson
A song I have been playing since the late 70's, written by my old compatriot Peter Mathieson. This is a singular portrait of a magician ... and a reflection on the aging process for each of us. (Originally released on the Vignette album. Open Spaces, Prairie Winds (out of print) 1987)
I was playing in another bar
Somewhere along the strip
Like so many other bars I've known
Playing jukebox favorites
So the crowd could dig my trip
Pickin' out a few songs of my own
When an old man called me from the stage
He was sitting there alone
Any fool could see that he was broke
He said, "My name is Jonesy
I sure do like your licks"
And I thanked him with a bottle and a smoke
Play it again for old time's sake
Crowd is ringing in my ears
Play it again for old time's sake
Let me forget about the years
He says, "I'm a magician
I've travelled with the best"
There isn't much my fingers wouldn't do
But Flagstone and Houdini
And so many other asked
And if you like I'll show you one or two
And he pulled a deck of cards
From his Salvation Army coat
Like he must have done so many other times
And those fingers shook with age
And took the edge off of his act
He pulled it off for me this one last time
Play it again for old time's sake
Crowd is ringing in my ears
Play it again for old time's sake
Let me forget about the years
Then all at once I realized
How lonesome he must be
The final curtain falling on his show
And I almost cried for no one
There were no more rabbits left in his hat
No place of importance left for him to go
Thirty years from now
I hope you taught your children well
To look inside the hearts of other men
When an old man plays a tune for them
From a time he knew so well
Buy me a drink and I'll be on again
Play it again for old time's sake
Crowd is ringing in my ears
Play it again for old time's sake
Let me forget about the years
Play it again for old time's sake
Crowd is ringing in my ears
Play it again for old time's sake
Let me forget about the years
©Willowdown Music, BMI
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