Jerry Jeff Walker



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



Chorus:

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



Chorus



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"



Bridge: 

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



Chorus



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