[VERSE]
D
He was fifty I was four
G A
Mr Mayes lived around the corner
Bm7 G
It was a prime location for neighborhood sports
Bm7 G
Dirt clod fights on summer days
A D
It was a place for us to gather
D
Well he'd get fed up with all the noise
G A
And he'd freeze our blood with his voice
Bm7 G
"Hey, you kids, get outta here."
Bm7 G
We'd run some wet their pants in fear
A D
The kids would scream and scatter
[CHORUS]
G A
Well they'd drop their rocks and run away
G A D
Here comes mean old Mr. Mayes
[VERSE]
D
Well I was slow or just too young
G A
To know what wrong I might have done
Bm7 G
I'd stay behind and out he'd come
Bm7 G
With a gentle smile and a stick of gum
A D
Up close his voice was nicer
D
We'd stand awhile and chew the fat
G A
He'd say, "Which one are you, John, Danny or Pat?"
Bm7 G
I'd say, "Mike," and he'd tip his cap
Bm7 G
And give his head a thoughtful scratch
A D
And it made my answer matter
D
"Well how old are you?" he'd always ask.
G A
And I'd show him four fingers, "Well imagine that,
Bm7 G
You've learned to count. You want more gum?"
Bm7 G
And I'd nod my head and he'd start to laugh
A D
And say, "You look just like your brothers."
[CHORUS]
G A
Well they'd drop their rocks and run away
G A D
Here comes mean old Mr. Mayes
G A D
Mean old Mr. Mayes
[VERSE]
D
He'd say, "I bet you know your ABCs."
G A
I'd leave a few out but I'd get to Z.
Bm7 G
He'd say, "Good young man, that was better than me.
Bm7 G
Who knows what you'll grow up to be?
A D
A pitcher or a batter."
D
Well it sure is nice outside today.
G A
Little buddy, why don't you go play?
Bm7 G
But you come by here any day
Bm7 G
And you say hi from Mr. Mayes
A D
To your mommy and your daddy.
[CHORUS]
G A
Well they'd drop their rocks and run away
G A D
Here comes mean old Mr. Mayes
G A D
Mean old Mr. Mayes
G A D
Mean old Mr. Mayes
[VERSE]
D
Well I went by to say hello
G A
But he'd passed on ten years ago.
Bm7 G
It's too late now but I wish I'd known
Bm7 G
I want to hear him say how much I've grown
A D
I want to take him out to dinner.