This ole house once knew my children
This ole house once knew my wife
This ole house was home and confort
As we fought the storms of life.

This ole house once rang with laughter
This ole house heard many a shout
Now she trembles in the darkness
When the lightnin' walks about.

I ain't gonna need this house no longer
Ain't a gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix his shingles
Ain't got time to fix the door.

Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mind the window panes
I ain't gonna need this house no longer
I'm gettin' ready to meet the saints.

This ole house is a gettin' shaky
This ole house is a gettin' old
This ole house stands in the rain
This ole house stands in the cold.

Oh, my knees are gettin' chilly
But I feel no fear or pain
'Cause I see an angel a peekin'
Through a broken window pane.

This ole house is afraid of thunder
This ole house is afraid of storms
This ole house just groans and trembles
When the night wind flings his arms.

This ole house is a gettin' feeble
This ole house is a needin' paint
Just like me it's tuckered out
But I'm gonna get ready to meet the saints.

Now my hound dog lies a-sleepin'
He don't know I'm gonna leave
Else he'd wake up by the fireplace
And he'd set there and howl and grieve.

But my huntin' days are over
Ain't gonna hunt the coon no more
Gabriel done brought in my chariot
When the wind blew down the door....