Old Army Hat
Recorded by Bill Anderson
Written by Bill Anderson and Walt Aldridge
C Dm
He came home to Tennessee a young man at the end of forty-five
G7 C
Only one of seven men in his platoon that made it back alive
He must have seen some tough times
Dm
But he never talked too much about all of that
G7
Put his pictures and his memories in the cedar chest
Dm G7 C
Everything but his old army hat
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By the time I graduated the winds of change had blown across our land
G7
They were burning flags and draft cards
C
When they bothered to take some kind of stand
And we used to laugh at grandpa
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Like he was some old relic from the past
G7
Cause he never left the house less he was wearing
Dm G7 C
That funny looking worn out army hat
F C
Every eye was on him anytime that he went anywhere
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They whispered and they pointed
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But you could tell that grandpa didn't care
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I ain't weaning this for them he said it's a whole lot more than that
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For my buddies who gave everything the least that I can do
Dm G7 C
Is keep on wearing this old army hat
Dm
He called me up one morning said he'd seen it on the news on his tv
G7 C
They've opened up a monument to World War II in Washington D.C.
I ain't getting any younger
Dm
And I wish someone would take me to see that
G7
I couldn't help but think their gonna laugh at you up there
Dm G7 C
If you show up in that silly army hat
Dm
Two strangers both saluted as grandpa walked up to the monument
G7 C
One said thank you soldier for a job well done the other said amen
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And a young boy said sir my daddy went to war and never made it back
G7
Would you take a picture standing here beside me
Dm G7 C
And maybe let me wear your army hat
F C
Every eye was on him and there was not a dry one in the crowd
G7
They whispered and they pointed
C
And grandpa stood up extra tall and proud
F
He said son just keep it
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When the young boy tried his best to give it back
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You're a brave little soldier son and every soldier needs
Dm G7 C
His very own authentic army hat
Dm G7
For your daddy who gave every thing the least that I can do
Dm G7 C
Is pass on this old worn out army hat
