I was truly saddened to hear that Tom T. Hall passed this week. He was an American story teller. He told stories of his life , American life, and I enjoyed them so very much. And so today I would like to repost something I wrote a while ago as I’m very proud to know some of his kin …….
Only thing I know that’s better than a good story is having a good story to tell .
I’m not a country music fan but I am a fan of stories and many a country singer has a story to tell. Even if it is only about just getting out of jail or a fixer up pickup truck. One country singer in particular became famously known as “The Story Teller” and with good cause .
That would be Tom T. Hall and back in 1972 Tom T. imparted his wisdom and wrote the words to one of the few country songs that I can actually quote … Old Dogs and Children .
I was cleaning up the entrance to a condo building in SW Florida the other day when a man entering the building asked ” How ya doing ?”
“Terrible” I replied….. said it and I meant it.
He laughed and continued on to inform me I sounded just like his Uncle .
” My Uncle always answered that question with….. My life ain’t worth a dime .”
I couldn’t help but respond with words written by a wise story teller …..
” That’s because there ain’t but three things in this whole world worth a solitary dime… old dogs, children…. and watermelon wine.”
Turns out I quoted a Tom T. Hall lyric to none other than the son of a brother of The Story Teller himself ….
Goodbye Tom T.
