Down at Miller’s Tavern on a crooked little street
Where the coal dust settles on the boots beneath your feet
Sat a man behind the bar with cloudy mountain eyes
Name of Tommy Johnson, knew us all by sound and size
Said he couldn’t see much past the bottles on the shelf
But he knew your voice before you even spoke yourself
You’d step up to the counter ‘fore your coat was off your back
And he’d slide your drink across that old pine plank
Oh good ol’ Tommy, pourin’ whiskey in the dark
Knew every laugh and every sorrow by its spark
Couldn’t see a face but Lord he knew us all the same
By the way we said hello or how we slurred his name
If that glass came full you know he never missed a drop
Least-ways none of us recall, though we might’ve had a lot
Yeah good ol’ Tommy ran that bar like it was home
And the whole damn town still misses good ol’ Tom
Old Earl drank bourbon, Jimmy swore by rye
Billy liked his lager and would holler mighty high
Tommy’d hear them boots and say, Boys I know that tread
Then pour the drinks ‘fore half the order even said
Sometimes he’d ask, You want another of the same
And we’d laugh and say, Tommy, how’d you know my name
He’d grin and say, Your voice gets louder every round
By midnight boys, you’re preachin’ to the whole dang town
Oh good ol’ Tommy, pourin’ whiskey in the dark
Knew every laugh and every sorrow by its spark
Couldn’t see a face but Lord he knew us all the same
By the way we said hello or how we slurred his name
If that glass came full you know he never missed a drop
Least-ways none of us recall, though we might’ve had a lot
Yeah good ol’ Tommy ran that bar like it was home
And the whole damn town still misses good ol’ Tom
Winter came in ninety-seven cold and mean
Snow piled high on every road and ridge between
Word came down that Tommy’s time had come and gone
And that old bar stool felt empty all night long
From the mines to farms and every house in town
Folks came walking slow with their heads hung down
Preacher said, This man knew more than most could see
And half this town learned drinkin’ at the bar with Tommy
Someone left a bottle by the bar that night
Said Pour one out for Tommy by the neon light
And Earl swore up and down through misty eyes
Tommy’s still pourin’ somewhere up in the sky
Oh good ol’ Tommy, pourin’ whiskey in the dark
Hearin’ every story, every broken heart
If heaven’s got a tavern by a mountain road
Tommy’s there keepin’ tabs on every soul
And if you wander in there tired and travel-worn
He’ll have your drink ready, ‘fore you ask for one poured
He;ll slide a glass across that bar just like long ago
And say, Welcome back, boys, good to see ya home
“Good Ol’ Tom” is track number 6 on the Thumper Barrel album, Stump Water.
Track: Good Ol’ Tom
Album: Stump Water
ISRC: QZTAW2631105
ASCAP: 935304235