That's How It Was Back Then

When I was young, I tipped quite a few. Most nights I'd find somewhere to sit a spell. Sometimes I'd stay till they closed the place. Then I'd find somewhere else to go. I didn't think much about tomorrow. Tomorrow was always there when you got to it. I got into my share of scraps Didn't always know what they were about. Somebody would say something. I'd say something smart back. Then we'd be fightin' hard outside. That's just how a lot of nights went. That's how it was back then. I was young and I lived that way. I don't miss it and I don't regret it. It was just my life in those days. Now things are different. That's how it was back then. There were a lot of people around in those days. Hangin' out with folks I'd never known. We'd drink beer and talk about nothin' at all. Somebody would tell a tall tale. The barkeep would call him a liar. Then we'd laugh about it. I don't think about those years every day. Every now and then they come right back. I'll hear an old song; see an old car. Or see somebody who looks like a gal I used to know. And I'll remember where we were. That's about all there is to it. That's how it was back then. I was young and I lived that way. I don't miss it and I don't regret it. It was just my life in those days. Now things are different. That's how it was back then. I don't drink much now. A cup o' whiskey lasts all night. I don't stay out late. I don't have any reason to. I like getting up in the morning. I like having a quiet house. I don't get into fights anymore. Haven't in a long time. If somebody gets mad at me, that's alright. He can be mad; I can walk away. I don't have to answer him. I suppose getting older does that to you. I never noticed myself getting older. It just happened a little at a time. One year turned into another. Then I looked up and a lot of time went by. I was that young man once. Now I'm this old man sitting here. I don't regret those years. I don't wish I could go back too. They happened in the days gone by. I was there, stories fresh in my mind. I was young and that's how I lived. I'm a little wiser now. I can sit outside and watch the evening come. I don't need a drink; don't need to fight. I don't need someone sitting next to me. It's alright if the quiet leads. After too many days, I've gotten pretty used to the quiet. That's how it was back then. I was young and I lived that way. I don't miss it and I don't regret it. It was just my life in those days. Now things are different. That's how it was back then. That's about all I can tell you. I had those years. Now I've got these. And I'm alright with that.