Lyr Req: A Ragged Old Man

Subject: Lyr Req: A Ragged Old Man
From: Deacon Dave
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 04:43 PM

I would like the lyrics of Utah Phillips "A Ragged Old Man".
There is an old request from 1999, but no follow-up for it.
Does anyone have this tune?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Ragged Old Man
From: kendall
Date: 19 Apr 05 - 07:29 PM

I know the song but can't post the tune.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Ragged Old Man
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 21 Apr 05 - 05:36 AM

A RAGGED OLD MAN is on "Heart Songs: The Old-Time Country Songs of Utah Phillips," sung by Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin, Rounder CD #424, 1997. It's also on "Starlight on the Rails: A Songbook," AK Press 4-CD set #19047, 2005 (Click here for a description).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Ragged Old Man
From: GUEST,Kendall
Date: 21 Apr 05 - 06:02 AM

This is a really GREAT collection of songs and stories by one of my very favorite song makers, and it's not just because he chose my rendition of one of his songs.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Ragged Old Man
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Dec 09 - 07:14 PM

mp3 available on Rhapsody.

Subject: Lyr Add: A RAGGED OLD MAN
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 16 Jan 12 - 06:02 PM

A RAGGED OLD MAN
As sung by Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin on "Starlight on the Rails: A Songbook" (2005)

A bearded old bum,
He sold trinkets and trifles,
And he lived in a flophouse
Till the end of his days.

He'd been on the stage,
Had once been an actor,
But now he sold flowers,
Or give them away.

Just a ragged old man,
And his ragged old doggy,
A ragged old life,
In a ragged old world.

Now a lady took a picture
To use in a contest,
Of him and his doggy
And it won the first prize.

His dog's name was Rags,
And she went to find them.
By the time that she found them,
The old man had died.

Just a ragged old man....

Just a ragged old man....

His name up in lights,
It's a long way to slide.
Trinkets and trifles
Might buy back his pride.

But I don't think these things
Should offend me or you.
This world is a stage
And we're all actors too.

Just a ragged old man....

Just a ragged old man....

A picture, you see,
It won the first prize.
The use of his hands
And the touch of his eyes
Were always so gentle
Although he was poor,
And he'd always know rags
By the ribbons he wore.

Just a ragged old man....

But I don't think these things
Should offend me or you.
This world is a stage
And we're all actors too.

Just a ragged old man....

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: A Ragged Old Man
From: Mark Ross
Date: 17 Jan 12 - 05:09 PM

Utah's son Duncan has re-issued his fathers songbook STARLIGHT ON THE RAILS. Originally published in '73, it has been updated with more songs and pictures. It is available here;


STARLIGHT ON THE RAILS


A RAGGED OLD MAN is in there. Duncan also insisted that it be ring bound so as to make it easier to learn songs and play along,

Mark Ross