I'd been sheltered all of my days
You opened up the door
I was a young man stepping into my life
Stepping out of school
Across the graveyard gates
An educated fool
Oh Willie I could read and write
But your eyes, read the winds and tides
Willie my sage my friend
I gained a thousand tales
Of life, of mice, and men
Fumble fingered rolling my own
I learned the graveyard ways
A friend or stranger it didn't change us
We took a heavy spade and laid the soul to rest
And kept a graveyard face
Oh Willie you've always said
A needless tear
Falls on nature's head
Willie your helping hand
Helped to make the man
Oh Willie the circle's turned
Old and young go in different ways
Willie your words and ways
Will cross the graveyard gates
Away away away away
