Rent

This song was written by our friend, Keith Gattis

An amazing songwriter, singer, and guitar slinger

We lost Kieth way too soon

He wrote this song with another Texas legend, Guy Clark

Kieth, we miss you, brother

But I know we're gonna see you again someday

He wore a sweat-stained open road Stetson hat

A domino king from way on back

Jack of all trades with an old johnboat

And he spent his last days just makin' it float

And every now and then, he'd pick me up

When he knew the water wouldn't be too rough

He was known for never sayin' to much

We'd get in that boat and he'd open right up

He said, "The war took my brother

Good Lord took my mother

And the years, well, I don't know where they all went

'Til that roll is called up yonder

All I can do is wonder

If I even did enough to make a dent

But I made a few good friends

And I always paid my rent"

Sometimes we'd just sit and laugh

'Bout girls and dogs and friends we had

He said the good'ns are the hardest to come by

And I'd get him to tell me 'bout the days gone by

He'd bait his hook, wipe his brow

Start resurrectin' ups and downs

We'd drift offshore while the daylight burned

And I'd hang on to every word

He said, "I've done my share o' livin'

Found a woman who was willin'

And through the years, I learned how to bend

Until that roll is called up yonder

I can't help but wonder

If I even did enough to make a dent

But I made a few good friends

And I always paid my rent"

Last time I saw him, he was movin' slow

Said, "I ain't got much farther to go

But I'd like you to have this boat

Take her out and make her float

I can't tell you how to live your life

But if you find a good girl, hold on tight

Treat her good and pay your bills

Your friends will help you climb the hills"

He said, "That road is long and windin'

And when I look behind me

But I'd like to think that it was time well spent

Until that roll is called up yonder

I can't help but wonder

If I even did enough to make a dent

But I made a few good friends

And I always paid my rent"

He wore a sweat-stained open road Stetson hat

Was a domino king from way on back

Jack of all trades with an old johnboat

And he spent his last days just makin' it float

Mmh