Think Twice Before You End Up a Fool
by @bobjestes
Liner Notes
#acousticguitar #vocal #banjolin I love good story songs like those written by Tom T. Hall. In this song, I span three generations... a son, a father, and a grandfather passing down advise, whether it was ever followed is doubtful.
Lyrics
Think Twice Before You End Up a Fool
My daddy said to me, you gotta listen to me son... It’s a dang cruel world out there, can’t trust just anyone. Make sure that you choose wisely, this is my only rule... Think twice before you end up a fool.
He said, I used to be a young man, when my daddy said to me... Those very same words, advice he gave for free. But who was he to lecture, just a broken-down old man... Turns out my dad, your grandpa, never had a plan.
CHORUS: But, I wish that I had listened, Hard fought wisdom he attained... It was through his bad decisions This knowledge he had gained. He tried to give me warning, he shared his only rule... Think twice before you end up a fool. Think twice before you end up a fool.
Comments
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Nailed the old timey vibe. I love the mountain music sound of this. Your lyrics are great! How many times have we all thought, I wish I thought harder about doing this or that. It's universal theme in a great story.
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Bob - I like how those stories of Dad's bad decisions hover outside the frame. And maybe also the possible bad decisions of the son, that the singer is warning against. It's such a comfortable way to sing about looking back and looking forward. And yes to the banjolin. So glad you're back this season.
![[pic]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2026/1363a0b1-f8c2-45b3-b075-ffe6bece79e9.png){kind=avatar}
Much thanks, Nancy. Glad to be back and in touch with you again.
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Sounds so classic. I love this!
![[pic]](https://fawm-avatars.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fawm2023/31241.png){kind=avatar}
I do like the generational layering of "My daddy said to me" coming in twice. I don't know exactly why, but the line catching my attention is "But who was he to lecture, just a broken-down old man..." Great country-style vocals, too!
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I love the plucky banjolin on this tune. "Think twice before you end up a fool" is such a good line. I like that you never specify the foolish choices each man has made, aside from one: dismissing the wisdom of an elder.