Willie

I've been sheltered all of my days
You opened up the door, I was a young man
Stepping into my life, stepping out of school
Across the graveyard gates, an educated fool

Oh Willie, I could read and write
But your eyes read the winds and tides
Willie, my sage, my friend
I gained a thousand tales of life, of mice and men

Fumble fingered, rolling my own
I learned the graveyard wakes
A friend or stranger, it didn't change us
We took a heavy spade and laid the soul to rest
And kept a graveyard face

Oh Willie, you always said
A needless tear falls on nature's head
Willie, your helping hand helped to make the man

Oh Willie, the circles turned
Old and young go in different ways
Willie, your words and ways
Will cross the graveyard gates
Away, away, away, away