Manny's Hat Song

(album: Scamp - 1996)

Manny was a maker of hats, Manny was much more than that
He was the kind of guy, you and I would want for a friend
Manny was a regular guy, with an old soul look in his eye
He was a man of word, and true to himself to the end

Manny liked to laugh and share a good story or two
If he's a making you a hat, he needs to know some things about you
He'd say, "Set yourself down, tell us what you're thinking about
Your hat says something about you, before you even open your mouth"

Manny had a funky hat shop, south of town where everyone stopped
To sit and chat, get a hat, and maybe get a new attitude
He loved to sit up front and greet folks
Take their measurements and laugh at their jokes

You couldn't stop by without staying there all afternoon
His wife Norma she sat in the back
Sewing sweatbands in all of his hats
She listened to the radio, some times I'd sing her a tune

He made hats for a lot of great men
But none were finer then he made for a friend
He made 'em the old way, steamed, and creased 'em by hand
He'd take your old hat and make her brand new
He'd shape it any way you wanted him too
He'd fix it up fine with a porcupine-beaded hatband

You know his hats were worn all over the world
By real cowboy, women's and pearls
He even made one for me he jokingly called "the old friend"

Well, when old friends disappear, I sometimes wonder where
I'd like to think maybe there just somewhere round the bend
But Manny's in heaven I bet, I'll go you one better yet
I'll bet money John B. and Manny are talking God into a hat

Old Manny used to take me aside
He'd say Jerry Jeff you know how to write
Why don't you make up a hat song and do it just the way that you do
Well, now that old Manny has gone
I finally made him up Manny's hat song
'Cause it's the best way to keep your old friend alive in a room

Manny was a maker of hats, Manny was much more than that
He was the kind of guy, you and I would want for a friend