The art of saying farewell

When your boy turned eighteen, he told you that

He was gonna go down south to marry some country gal

You gave him food for the road and a half hearted pat

Told him: "once she's gone, she'll never come back"

You turned away with a tear in your eye

You was talking 'bout her, but he knew better than that

Then he went on his way, gone at last

Look old man; your boy grew up so fast