I was sitting by the window, on a cold, September day
When an old man I'd seen before glanced up my way
His eyes were sad and lonely, he had a look that was rare,
And he motioned to me to come and join him downstairs.
I pondered only a moment, then turned to lock the door,
Doing something I knew I shouldn't, but which I'd be thankful for.
As I opened the door a tear of joy came to the old man's eyes,
He reached out to take my hand and called me a blessing in disguise.
He said, " I know you don't know me, but I've seen you sitting there before,
You know, even an old man needs a friend sometimes." and for awhile, said no more.
I looked over to see the old man crying, as we sat in a city so grand,
Slowly he turned to look at me and wiped his tears on his hand.
He said, "My name is Jim, I've no friends, nor family.
They've all gone from the world, and left only me.
Once, awhile back, I had a wife, a son and a daughter, too
She was sweet and gentle, reminds me a lot of you."
He said, "I've been hangin' in too long, suppose it's past time for me to die."
He squeezed my hand ever so gently and again started to cry.
"I wish you'd take some advice," he said, "From a man who is old and wise."
And the words he said I'll always remember, told to me through cloudy eyes.
"Never stay where you're not wanted, or where you know it's wrong
Find a home and family, to them you'll always belong."
With this he rose to take his leave and I said goodbye to Jim,
I was glad of the few moments spent together and knew I'd never forget him.
A few days later in the paper I saw an old man had died,
Cold and alone, on a park bench, and I hung my head and cried.
They were looking for someone to identify him, I guess some kind of kin,
All they had to go on was an I.D. bracelet that read "Jim".
Time and time again, his words have returned to my mind,
As I think of the old man with no place to go and no one for him to find.
"Never stay where you're not wanted, or where you know it's wrong
Find a home and family, to them you'll always belong."