Manny's Hat Song Lyrics - Jerry Jeff Walker

Jerry Jeff Walker 

Manny was a maker of hats, Manny was much more than that 

He was the kind of guy, you and I would want for a friend 

Manny was a regular guy, with an old soul look in his eye 

He was a man of word, and true to himself to the end 

Chorus: 

Manny liked to laugh and share a good story or two 

If he's a making you a hat, he needs to know some things about you 

He'd say, "Set yourself down, tell us what you're thinking about 

Your hat says something about you, before you even open your mouth" 

Manny had a funky hat shop, south of town where everyone stopped 

To sit and chat, get a hat, and maybe get a new attitude 

He loved to sit up front and greet folks 

Take their measurements and laugh at their jokes 

You couldn't stop by without staying there all afternoon 

His wife Norma she sat in the back, 

Sewing sweatbands in all of his hats 

She listened to the radio, some times I'd sing her a tune 

Chorus 

He made hats for a lot of great men 

But none were finer then he made for a friend 

He made 'em the old way, steamed, and creased 'em by hand 

He'd take your old hat and make her brand new 

He'd shape it any way you wanted him too 

He'd fix it up fine with a porcupine-beaded hatband 

You know his hats were worn all over the world 

By real cowboy, women's and pearls 

He even made one for me he jokingly called "the old friend" 

Bridge: 

Well when old friends disappear, I sometimes wonder where 

I'd like to think maybe there just somewhere round the bend 

But Manny's in heaven I bet, I'll go you one better yet 

I'll bet money John B. and Manny are talking God into a hat 

Old Manny used to take me aside, 

He'd say Jerry Jeff you know how to write 

Why don't you make up a hat song and do it just the way that you do 

Well now that old Manny has gone, 

I finally made him up Manny's hat song 

'Cause it's the best way to keep your old friend alive in a room 

Chorus 

Manny was a maker of hats, Manny was much more than that 

He was the kind of guy, you and I would want for a friend