young kid steps in from the cold
he ordered up a drink
he says don't look surprised old man
I'm older than you think
if I was the talking kind
I could tell you a thing or two
and since you didn't ask
let me show you my tattoos

he said I got this rose in memphis
in some back old alley dump
picked this eagle up in dallas
man I sure was good and drunk
and you know the way I see it
if it gets any worse out there
a guy like me hasn't got a prayer

the old man poured some coffee
he said this one's on me
set down his cigarette
and rolled up his sleeve
said take a good look here my friend
do you see what these are
just my ragged old and jagged old and faded scars

he said I got this one in paris
in a war 'fore you were born
and this one when I was half your age
working on my daddy's farm
and u know the way I see it
son you ain't what I seen
'cause tattoos and scars are different things

he said I've been here for all these years
and what I know is this
if you look and listen close a man will show you what he is
and you know the way i see it
you've been 'round, but you're still green
'cause tattoos and scars are different things

young kid steps in from the cold
orders up a drink
he said don't look surprised old man
i'm older than you think