Cat. #0068 (MFH #242) - As sung by Mrs. Gladys Everly, Springfield, Missouri on April 20, 1958
VERSE 1
How well do I remember when I was a child
And lived on the old fashioned farm
Th fireplace was broad and th chimly was deep
Th fire so brightly there shone
Th spirit of mischief seemed ever in play
I tried to keep still but in vain
The signal for quite I ne'er shall forget
T'was th thump of an old hickory cane
CHORUS:
The old hickory cane, the old hickory cane
Th cane that is knotty an' worn
My Fathers companion, th staff of his life
Its absence could never be borne
VERSE 2
How pleasant when living far out on th farm
To welcome the old dinner horn
The long winters evening brought cider and fruit
The cracking of chessnuts and corn
We thought it a treat, one hand on his cane
A story our Father would tell
Our eyes firmly bent, and his good natured face
Ah me, I remember it well
VERSE 3
The old arm-chair stands silent and lone
Th Bible is lying there still
Time laid th weight of old age on his brow
And blended his form to its will
Th notch in th corner still holds the old cane
Th hand that caressed it is gone
We laid him to sleep, but still ever we keep
Th cane that is knotty and worn