"Don’t Let The Old Man In"

 

As heard in the Clint Eastwood film, "The Mule"

 

Story goes is that Toby Keith met Clint Eastwood at an event. Keith asked Eastwood what the secret was for staying so active and healthy at his advanced age. This is what Clint Eastwood said:

"Every day when I wake up, I don’t let the old man in. My secret has been the same since 1959 — staying busy. I never let the old man into the house. I’ve had to drag him out because he was already comfortably settled, bothering me all the time, leaving no space for anything other than nostalgia.

You have to stay active, alive, happy, strong, and capable. It’s in us, in our intelligence, attitude, and mentality. We are young, regardless of our ID. We must learn to fight to not let the old man in.

That old man awaits us, stationed and tired by the side of the road to discourage us. I don’t let the old, critical, hostile, envious spirit in — the one that scrutinises our past to tie us up with complaints and distant anxieties, or relived traumas and waves of pain.

You have to turn your back on the old murmurer, full of rage and complaints, lacking courage, denying himself that old age can be creative, determined, and full of light and projection.

Ageing can be pleasant and even fun if you know how to use your time if you’re satisfied with what you’ve achieved, and if you still maintain enthusiasm. That’s called not letting the old man into the house."

These words immensely resonated with Toby Keith. They inspired him to write "Don’t Let The Old Man In" which is dedicated to the legend who is Clint Eastwood. Here are the lyrics:

 

Don't let the old man in I wanna leave this alone Can't leave it up to him He's knocking on my door And I knew all of my life That someday it would end Get up and go outside Don't let the old man in Many moons I have lived My body's weathered and worn Ask yourself how would you be If you didn't know the day you were born Try to love on your wife And stay close to your friends Toast each sundown with wine Don't let the old man in Hmm-mm Hmm-mm Hmm-mm Many moons I have lived My body's weathered and worn Ask yourself how would you be If you didn't know the day you were born When he rides up on his horse And you feel that cold bitter wind Look out your window and smile Don't let the old man in Look out your window and smile Don't let the old man in

 

I hope this gets you out of bed, if only to watch any one of Clint Eastwood's more than sixty movies. Don't let the old man in!

 

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