I still can hear the old folks as they talk into the night I was chasing fireflies, attracted by the light Cornbread in the oven and chicken on to fry And time passing softly in the old bye and bye Sleepy town in Texas on the Denton country line Living there was easy when you're growing into nine Minnow by the buckets and catfish on the line And time passing softly in the old bye and bye Ride me down easy, boys, ride me down slow Ride me down easy but roll back the stone Hot summer days, watermelon nights And time passing softly in the old bye and bye Every Sunday morning, hear the brimstone and the fire Daddy in the pulpit and Mama in the choir County fairs and picnics and that big ol' Texas sky And time passing softly in the old bye and bye Twenty years, a thousand tears, and lots of dusty miles Often find me smiling those old forgotten smiles Memories that just won't fade, sweethearts left behind And time passing softly in the old bye and bye Ride me down easy, boys, ride me down slow Ride me down easy but roll back the stone Hot summer days, watermelon nights And time passing softly in the old bye and bye And time passing softly in the old bye and bye