[1] In an old folks home [4] just off the [1] well beaten [5] path I'd [6m] visit my [4] grandma and [5] learn of our [4] past
One [1] day as I [4] walked down the [5] hall I [6m] passed by an [2maj] old man with tears in his [5] eyes

[1] At a glance I could [4] see he was [1] gentle and [5] sweet I [6m] straightened his [4] pillow and [5] covered his [4] feet
Then the [1] old man reached [4] out [5] softly touching my [6m] hand he [4] smiled and these [5] few words [1] began

[1] If I don't drink rye [4] whiskey rye [1] whiskey I'll [5] die I could [1] see it meant [4] something by the [5] look in his [4] eyes
The [1] old man just [4] lay there [5] repeating that [6m] line If I [4] don't drink rye [1] whiskey rye [5] whiskey I'll [1] die

Then they told me a story that's sad but it's true of how he'd no family or friends that they knew
In an old army jacket on the outskirts of town that's how the old man was found

They thought him a drunkard who just lost his mind 'cause all he would say were these words all the time
They brought him here ten years ago to this day still all the old man would say

When I walked in the room grandma instantly knew she said my dear boy what's been bothering you
So I told her the story of the man I just met grandma looked up and she said

If I don't drink rye whiskey were the words to a song I sang back when I was a kid
And they told of a soldier who made it through war and found out his true love was dead

If I don't drink rye whiskey rye whiskey I'll die I knew it meant something by the look in his eyes
Now I know why the old man just laid there and cried if I don't drink rye whiskey rye whiskey I'll die
His heart was still breaking after all of this time if I don't drink rye whiskey rye whiskey I'll die