There's years and roads and friends he'll never see again
He'll never hit that dust and feel them busty bones again
There won't be no more ladies shining buckles dancing slow
When he packs his riggin one last time quits this rodeo

And it's good-bye for good this time
He's gonna let that leather crack just like the past he's left behind
Growing old, Lord, don't you know, it's just a waste of time

He's quit rodeo before and he's come back again
'Cause there's something in the riding makes the falling worth the pain
There's a pride in knowing that you can take a chance
But it's sadder when you finally find it's never gonna last

And it's good-bye for good this time
He's gonna let that leather crack just like the past he's left behind
Growing old, Lord, don't you know, it's just a waste of time

So i guess he'll work some stable sweating hired out
To some young fool that ain't seen half the past he's leaving now
That feller will watch him work just like he thinks he's half a man
And he'll spend his evenings dreaming he could ride them bulls again

And it's good-bye for good this time
He's gonna let that leather crack just like the past he's left behind
Growing old, Lord, don't you know, it's just a waste of time