* * *

Well, I was traveling alone in the forest one night
Slowly making my way by the dim lantern light
I was just between two thoughts, you know the sound of one hand clapping
Well, it hit me, and then…

A stranger then appeared with some sparkle in his motion
His many-color coat it flowed like the ocean
With his cane, he rapped on the ground three times
…And do you know what happened?

A magical flask appeared in my grip
I’m not one to argue so I took quite the sip
and swallowed the potion down, it worked its magic
…

And at that moment I did recall
The reason I was in that forest at all
A memory I’d otherwise forgotten, left behind years ago
I looked up at the stranger and said,

You’re the Hat Man, I’ve heard about you
Being who you are, and doing what they say you do
I offered my kindest thanks, and he just smiled
And kept on walkin’ along

He’s the Hat Man, travelin far and wide
Spannin seven leagues with every single stride
Footloose and fancy free
Ramblin’ on however he please

The Hat Man travels from town to town
He doesn’t seem effected by the ups and downs
He doesn’t care for beginnings,
and has got no concerns for endings

He’s got bowlers, berets, bucket hats too,
Fedoras, Panamas, he’s got a Stetson for you
He’s got caps & gowns & scarves & bandanas to boot
That’s just scratchin’ the surface

Money is not what the Hat Man seeks
He prefers to barter with smiles and winks
He once sold a green fedora for three deep breaths
…

It ain’t really about the trades that he makes,
but rather the good luck he leaves in his wake
For if you see him coming your way, you best crack a smile
Unless you like fightin’ the wind, ’cause…

He’s the Hat Man, what’s he up to now?
Walkin’ on water or lougin up in a cloud
Ain’t no way to tell just where he’s at
Would you look at that, here he comes,

He’s the Hat Man, up up and away
Planting them seeds all throughout the day
He’s your best friend when you need ‘em,
and even when you don’t

Everybody get yourselves together
Nevermind the stormy weather
Get on your feet,
Here comes the Hat Man

Now, the Hat Man travels as the Hat Man please
with a crook to his step and a shake in his knee
And no, that was no stumble, he’s just dancing
Who do you think we’re talking about, here?

He strolls along with his corn-cob pipe
If there was sweat on his brow, he’d give it a wipe
But he doesn’t have to. It’s not there. He’s not sweating
…

The Hat Man goes where he doesn’t want to be seen
And he’s seen where he doesn’t want to go
But he’ll go there just the same
…

There and back again, and two times more
There’s no place he ain’t ever been before
When will he be in town next? Just look behind ya.
…

It’s the Hat Man, coming to town
Come on and put your money down!
Let the chips fall where they may,
That’s where he wants ‘em… yeah you’ll see,

He’s the Hat Man, arriving today
From over them hills and so far away
Trampled underfoot, nearly forgotten
Yeah, he’ll bring that fire back to life, oh!

Everybody get yourselves together
Nevermind the stormy weather
Get on your feet,
Here comes the Hat Man

Rolling thunder, Spirit Train
The rhythm rolls with his refrain
His tune carries on high
into the heavens

Whether loom of the fruit or the fruit of the loom
From the Tomb of the womb to womb of the tomb
The Hat Man, he’s traveled on, but not forgotten
not by me, at least

We’re hoping real hard he’ll be back soon
But no use lookin’ at the finger that points at the moon
So we’ll carry on his work ourselves
And if he does come back, we’ll be ready

* * *

Verse & Chorus: G-C-D-C (G7-C7-D7-C7)
Bridge: G-Bb-C-Bb (repeat)

To listen, click the play button below. Guitar chords can be found at the very bottom of the post.

C . . . F . . . F . . . C . . .
Dm . . . C . . . G . . . C . . .

Down in the valley, where the grass has stopped growing
In the empty open plain where you’ll find no wind blowing
There lives an old man, just as sharp as a tack
He lives all alone in an old wooden shack

He’s got all the answers, there isn’t any doubt
There is no solution that he could live without
There’s no need for wonder with brains like he’s got
He’s not even bothered by the things he’s forgot

With all his explanations to fend off the fright
You can sure bet your britches he sleeps well at night
The darkness doesn’t bother him, nor does old age
He always knows what to expect on the next page

The birds all have left him the clouds have gone by
The color has faded from the berries in his pie
He clings on so tightly to his answers so dear
Laying waste to the mysteries he can’t stand to hear

He’s been there forever, and forever he’ll stay
If you’re looking for an answer its your lucky day
Go see him if you want to, he loves his own kind
And please would tell him that I’m doing fine

La la, la la la la…

* * *

Verse 1 :: Leaving the Village

It’s outside of the village, but it ain’t too far
Just above the growing earth, just below the fallin’ stars

I’m talking about a place called Firefly Grove
I’ll take you there to see it, if with me you will roam

Until we’re outside of the village, stay on your tippie-toes
‘Cause the Elders wouldn’t like it they knew where we were goin’

Not until we’ve made it ‘neath the cover of the trees
Can we shout n’ hoot n’ hollar just as loud as we please

Verse 2 :: Finding the path

Hmmm, da da, oh-da-lolly, hum-dee hey
We’ve made it to the forest, look at us, we’re on our way

The pathway to the Grove, it twists and winds
Only way to find it is to follow the signs

Catch a fallin’ leaf or hear a whisper in the wind
Spot the red shelled turtle and our journey will begin

Keep your eyes peeled but don’t lose your shirt
Or, the Tanglewood Root will tie a knot up in your skirt

Verse 3 :: Arrival at the Grove

We’ve found the path, we’ve on our way, we’re gettin’ real close
A little further and we’ll be there, wipe that dirt off of your nose

There’s a shortcut to mushrooms and the Burrow just ahead
In Beggar’s Canyon never-never land your speeder’s painted red

Across the final threshold, what do we have here
A giant meadow, ain’t she purdy, better than a phoenix tear

Welcome now, we’ve made it to Firefly Grove
For a little welcome gift how ’bout a four leaf clove

Verse 4 :: At Play in the Grove

Forest all around us, tall grass in between
With the Great Tree in the middle, she’s the best you’ll ever see

The other children of the village have also found their way
They’re playing on the tottalot of root and vine and hay

Quick now, let’s play “don’t touch the ground”
Jump and hop and hang while making seven silly sounds

Black bird singing with a star for an eye
Supernatural things sounding sweet from the sky

Verse 5 :: The Deep Forest

The Deep Forest looks upon us with an ancient gaze
Maybe one day we’ll be swallowed by her mystic haze

Listen to the tales of them coming of age
The older ones among us taking lessons from the sage

By themselves into the forest where the path is most dark
To bring back the secret fire and the Arden oak’s bark

In a few years, we’ll take that journey ourselves
Until that day comes, let’s keep our stones up on the shelf

* * *

But it was not so bad
Didn’t hurt overmuch
Try not to look so sad
We’ll stay right in touch

Chorus:

Greetings from Hotel Hell
Where the weather’s hot
But all is well

Couldn’t find a menu at the coffee shop
So I gave the waitress her choice
“Any old tea you can bring to me”
Were the words that came from my voice

The waitress turns with a devious smile
I learned this after the fact
For her wicked brew stole a piece of my soul
She ain’t ever gonna give it back

[chorus]

Walked on home, feeling pretty low
Wicked tea flowing through my veins
Gotta find a way to reverse her curse
And get free of these rusty chains

At that moment I did recall
A piece of chocolate in my sack
Given to me by her fair-skinned twin
It will get me my whole soul back

Eat that cocoa and play a song,
A big elk’s footprints did say
But you’ll have to wander for 40 odd days
Its the price that I have to pay

[chorus]

* * *

To listen, click the play button below: