From the recording The Eyes of Men
Lyrics by M.C. Armstrong. Arranged by Allen, Armstrong, Zehmer. Viola by Gizem Yucel. Hammond organ by Don Eason.
Lyrics
Got it for Christmas
When I was nineteen
Half a lifetime ago
For whatever that means
Wore it every time
I was trying to seem
Like I belonged to some scene
That was tougher than me
It was my shirt
Black and gray
Checkered plaid
Liked it best in the fall
When I was feeling sad
Used it as a pillow
One lonely night
Sleeping in a car
After a fight
It was my shirt
Used it for blood
Used it for tears
Got a good job
Hung it up a couple years
But then I lost my job
Lost my mom
Came back to my shirt
And put it on
It was my shirt
When I met you
I was fading away
You brightened my life
Like a summer’s day
You made me smile
You made me flirt
You made me want
To wear my favorite shirt
Cuz I was happy
Out one night
Under the moon
We found a place
Like we always do
I took off my shirt
Walked away awhile
Came back and found you
Wearing only a smile
And my shirt
Nothing ever
Seems to last
Friends disappear
Into the past
But I love you so much
I wanna shout
Yeah I feel like I
Can do without
My shirt
October’s coming
You got a lot on your mind
You wanna go out west
Leave the south behind
But it gets cold in the mountains
Windy at night
So here’s a little something
To remember me by