The Legend of Mandolin Hooper Lyrics

Come gather all ye round, saddle up and listen

Sit and hear the story, the tale of Mandolin

He wasn't the tallest man but his vision went for miles

He led a band of merry rats with honor, grace and style

The southern land of Texas sent this outlaw on his way

"The gallows or the road" they said, "You're leaving us today"

He took his trusty steed and his mama's Gretsch guitar

To the north he would go but forever a Lonestar

The nights can make you weary

The wind your only song

So he gathered up some rats

And we all sang along

Mando, Manny, Mandolin you took us for a ride

From Shadlowland to Texas you're revered far and wide

Your legend will live on, tall tales we'll speak of you

How you took this town by storm

Fearless in a three-piece suit

He arrived on into town, no one knew his name

Guided by the Lord to Shadowland he came

This outlaw and his shoes turned every living head

If music were a weapon we soon would all be dead

He regaled us of his travels running from the law

The cicadas and Tacomaneros in Portland that he saw

He finished up and put his guitar back in its case

It wouldn't be too long before he packed the place

He's still talked about today

When he first played his songs

He needed him some rats

To help him sing along

Mando, Manny, Mandolin you took us for a ride

From Shadlowland to Texas you're revered far and wide

Your legend will live on, tall tales we'll speak of you

How you took this town by storm

Fearless in a three-piece suit

The Rats were know far and wide

Sea to shining sea

Blowing the doors off every saloon

If you'd been there you'd agree

That they were sure something else

A true one of a kind

Behind the man, the myth, the legend

To adoring fans, each and every night

Then one day he saddled up it was time to go

Riding off into the sunset, where he went no one knows

An outlaw never stays in one place too long

Sheriff's on the breeze though Mando did no wrong

If you listen very closely

On any given night

You can still hear him singing

When the wind's just right

You'll always be my hero

Your songs live on forever

Until we meet again

Let's make it the best day ever