I'm a whisky tenor from a small southern town Spent a couple years up and a lot more years down I played every beer joint from New York to LA But nobody warned me how the years slip away I played the streets in the city when times got too hard Thinking, "How did I get here and survive that fall?" I feel useless and used up, just a little bit small And I stare with confusion at gold records on my wall I played my music and magic filled the air Joy and laughter were any easy thing to share But now I'm sittin' here with so much left to say But nobody warned me how the years slip away I played my music and magic filled the air And joy and laughter were any easy thing to share Now I'm sittin' here with so much more to say But nobody warned me how the years slip away I played for my brothers as they went off to war And over their bodies when they could give no more I sang songs of their triumphs, their heartaches and fears And I wrapped my songs around them like a flag drenched in tears I'm a whisky tenor from a small southern town Spent a couple years up and a lot more years down I played every beer joint from New York to LA But nobody warned me, nobody warned me Nobody warned me how the years slip away