The Night I Called The Old Man Out
Garth Brooks · In Pieces [1993]
The dining room fell silent, I can't believe what I just said...
I just told my dad he's full of it, and I watched his face turn red;
Well then I should've said I'm sorry, but I matched him shout for shout
and I can still hear that screen door slammin' the night I called him out.
Chorus:
He said "son, it's gonna hurt me, more than it hurts you."
But somehow I couldn't help but have my doubts...
'Cause I'd seen my older brothers crawl back in the house
each time they called the old man out.
Fist to fist, and eye to eye
standin' toe to toe
He would've let me walk away, but I just would not let it go...
years of my frustration, had led me to this night
now he'll pay for all the times that he's been right.
Chorus:
He said "son, it's gonna hurt me, more than it hurts you."
But somehow I couldn't help but have my doubts...
'Cause I'd seen my older brothers crawl back in the house
each time they called the old man out.
It was over in a minute, and that's when I realized
the blood came from my mouth and nose,
but the tears came from his eyes...
And in memory of that fateful night, I know the greatest pain was his,
and I just pray someday I'm half the man he is.
Chorus:
He said "son, it's gonna hurt me, more than it hurts you."
But somehow I couldn't help but have my doubts...
'Cause I'd seen my older brothers crawl back in the house
each time they called the old man out.
Just like my older brothers, I crawled back in the house.
The night I called the old man out
I just told my dad he's full of it, and I watched his face turn red;
Well then I should've said I'm sorry, but I matched him shout for shout
and I can still hear that screen door slammin' the night I called him out.
Chorus:
He said "son, it's gonna hurt me, more than it hurts you."
But somehow I couldn't help but have my doubts...
'Cause I'd seen my older brothers crawl back in the house
each time they called the old man out.
Fist to fist, and eye to eye
standin' toe to toe
He would've let me walk away, but I just would not let it go...
years of my frustration, had led me to this night
now he'll pay for all the times that he's been right.
Chorus:
He said "son, it's gonna hurt me, more than it hurts you."
But somehow I couldn't help but have my doubts...
'Cause I'd seen my older brothers crawl back in the house
each time they called the old man out.
It was over in a minute, and that's when I realized
the blood came from my mouth and nose,
but the tears came from his eyes...
And in memory of that fateful night, I know the greatest pain was his,
and I just pray someday I'm half the man he is.
Chorus:
He said "son, it's gonna hurt me, more than it hurts you."
But somehow I couldn't help but have my doubts...
'Cause I'd seen my older brothers crawl back in the house
each time they called the old man out.
Just like my older brothers, I crawled back in the house.
The night I called the old man out
The Night I Called The Old Man Out
Garth Brooks delivers a poignant narrative in 'The Night I Called The Old Man Out,' a standout track from his 1993 album In Pieces. The song captures a defining moment of maturity, where the protagonist finally confronts his father after years of silence. This recording exemplifies Brooks' ability to blend storytelling with emotional resonance, a hallmark of his extensive discography during the early 1990s. The track remains a significant song in his body of work, showcasing his skill in portraying complex family dynamics within the country genre. It stands alongside other memorable recordings from this era, reinforcing his status as a master of the storytelling ballad.