You will come to the grave in full vigor, Like the stacking of grain in its season. Job 5:26
Old age is nothing we wish for, except for the genuine wisdom in it. And yet, we will all get there, and we know it.
I thought this was worth sharing. It starts with two of my favorites: Toby Keith playing golf with Clint Eastwood. That sets the stage. At one point, Eastwood said to Keith, “I turn 88 on Monday.”
“What are you going to do?” Keith asked.
“I’m going to shoot a movie,” Eastwood replied, with filming scheduled to begin the following week.
“What keeps you going?” Keith asked him.
“I get up every day and don’t let the old man in,” Eastwood said.
“I’m writing this down right now,” Keith replied.
Keith didn’t ask him if he could contribute a song, Keith just went home and wrote it, sent it to Clint and hoped that he would consider it. And, he did.
Here it is:
“Don’t Let The Old Man In”
(from “The Mule” soundtrack)
Don’t let the old man in
I want to live me some more
Can’t leave it up to him
He’s knocking on my door
And I knew all of my life
That someday it would end
Get up and go outside
Don’t let the old man in
Many moons I have lived
My body’s weathered and worn
Ask yourself how old you’d be
If you didn’t know the day you were born
Try to love on your wife
And stay close to your friends
Toast each sundown with wine
Don’t let the old man in
Many moons I have lived
My body’s weathered and worn
Ask yourself how old you’d be
If you didn’t know the day you were born
When he rides up on his horse
And you feel that cold bitter wind
Look out your window and smile
Don’t let the old man in
Look out your window and smile
Don’t let the old man in
Translating a World on the Edge 