Almost Home

He had plastic bags wrapped 'round his shoes He was covered with the evening news Had a pair of old wool socks on his hands Bank sign was flashing five below It was freezing rain and spitting snow He was curled up behind some garbage cans I was afraid that he was dead I gave him a gentle shake When he opened up his eyes I said, "Old man, are you okay?" What'd he say, Jelly? I just climbed out of a cottonwood tree I was running from some honey bees Drip-drying in the summer breeze After jumping into Calico Creek I was walking down an old dirt road Past a field of hay that had just been mowed Man, I wish you'd just left me alone 'Cause I was almost home Then he said, "I's just comin' round the barn 'Bout the time you grabbed my arm" When I heard momma holler, "Son, hurry up" I was close enough for my old nose To smell fresh cobbler on the stove And I saw daddy loading up the truck Cane poles on the tailgate Bobbers blowing in the wind Since July of '55 That's as close as I've been Yeah, I just climbed out of a cottonwood tree I was running from some honey bees Drip-drying in the summer breeze After jumping into Calico Creek I was walking down an old dirt road Past a field of hay that had just been mowed Man, I wish you'd just left me alone 'Cause I was almost home I said, "Old man, you're gonna freeze to death Let me drive you to the mission" He said, "Boy, if you'd left me alone Right now, I'd be fishing" I just climbed out of a cottonwood tree I was running from some honey bees Drip-drying in the summer breeze After jumping into Calico Creek I was walking down an old dirt road Past a field of hay that had just been mowed Man, I wish you'd just left me alone 'Cause I was almost home (I was almost home) Man, I wish you'd just left me alone 'Cause I was almost home