This Ole House


This ole house once knew his children
This ole house once knew his wife
This ole house was home and comfort
As they fought the storms of life





This old house once rang with laughter
This old house heard many shouts
Now he trembles in the darkness
When the lightnin' walks about





This ole house is a-gettin' shaky
This ole house is a-gettin' old
This ole house lets in the rain
This ole house lets in the cold





On his knees I'm gettin' chilly
But he feel no fear nor pain
'Cause he see an angel peekin'
Through a broken windowpane





Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
Ain't a-gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor





Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the windowpane
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
He's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints





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 its arms





This ole house is gettin' feeble
This old house is needin' paint
Just like him it's tuckered out
But he's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints





Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
Ain't a-gonna need this house no more
 Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor





Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the windowpane
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
He's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints





This ole house dog lies a-sleepin'
He don't know I'm gonna leave
Else he'd wake up by the fireplace
And he'd sit 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





Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
Ain't a-gonna need this house no more
 Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor





Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend the windowpane
Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer
He's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints




By Rosemary Clooney,1954

Words and music by
Stuart Hamblen.