TITLE: Old Age Is Making a Monkey Out of Me STYLE: Country • Classic / Traditional • Storytelling • Light Humor Female Vocal • Mid-tempo • Acoustic guitar, fiddle, steel guitar Warm, conversational, front-porch honesty LYRICS: Verse 1 Old age is sure makin’ a monkey outta me, From the way that I wobble when I cross the street, To the groans and the noises I don’t mean to make, And the goofy little dances my knees wanna shake. I head for the door, then forget why I came, Call my grandkids by every wrong name, If grace is a trick, well it’s playin’ it free, Old age is makin’ a monkey outta me. Chorus Yeah I creak, yeah I crack, yeah I laugh at myself, Got a mirror that don’t sit polite on the shelf, But I’ve earned every wrinkle, every scar that you see, If I look a little funny—well, that’s just me. Don’t you pity, don’t you pray too hard for me, I’m still swingin’ from the good old family tree, It’s just nature havin’ herself a spree, Old age is makin’ a monkey outta me. Verse 2 My thumbs don’t agree with what my hands wanna do, My legs lean forward like they’re searchin’ for truth, I don’t stand up straight, I negotiate first, With a sigh and a pause and a comment that hurts. Weather moves in and my body complains, Like it’s got its own forecast of aches and of pains, Every season leaves a mark I can see, Old age is makin’ a monkey outta me. Chorus Yeah I creak, yeah I crack, yeah I laugh at myself, Got a mirror that don’t sit polite on the shelf, But I’ve earned every wrinkle, every scar that you see, If I look a little funny—well, that’s just me. Don’t you pity, don’t you pray too hard for me, I’m still swingin’ from the good old family tree, It’s just nature havin’ herself a spree, Old age is makin’ a monkey outta me. Verse 3 My feet and my toes keep changin’ their shape, My ears stick out like they’re plannin’ escape, My wife says, “Honey, you’re growin’ new hair,” Just not where you’d expect it to be there. I talk too loud, I scratch when I itch, Everybody needs huggin’ or needs fixin’ quick, But there’s love in these habits, wild as they be, Old age is makin’ a monkey outta me. Bridge So the next time you see an old man slow, With his pants pulled high and his steps real low, Don’t laugh too hard, don’t judge too free, You’re just lookin’ at tomorrow’s you and me. Final Chorus Yeah I creak, yeah I crack, but I’m still standin’ proud, Got a heart full of stories and a mouth sayin’ ‘em loud, If time’s got a joke, it ain’t cruel—it’s kind, It keeps us all human right up to the line. So smile back when you’re lookin’ at me, I’m still blessed as I can be, It’s just nature swingin’ history, Old age is makin’ a monkey outta me. Outro Yeah… Just nature doin’ what she does best— Keepin’ us humble… and laughin’.
