John Stetson Poet Lyric

Stretchin' My Legs

Blue jays on the fence and a wren's perched on the 'pile
Lookin' out my window I can see it's been a while
Since I stepped outside of something, other than my house
I feel the need to find the speed of a little grey field mouse
Hurryin' to check the flurry of somethin's caught its eye
But in a rush to go nowhere beneath the summer sky

I used to stretch my legs a bit when then a younger man
I couldn't wait to close the gate and set out 'cross the land
I'd count the smiles between the miles as money in the bank
Never any doubt about what's left there in the tank
From notion to the ocean close as one foot out the door
But now it seems it's only dreams that get loose anymore
Yeah, now it seems it's just my dreams that get loose anymore

Chorus 1
        Stretchin' my legs, my ol' heart begs
	To be makin' tracks
	Markin' time, "Get off the dime!"
	What else could hold me back

	Stretchin' my legs, throw out the dregs
	Of what I've come to be
	Find new smiles, out in those miles
	Long as this heart beats in me
	Long as this heart beats in me

Like an ol' dog chasin' rabbits dreamin' lyin' by the fire
Those joints'll stiffen if you don't listen and make that call a liar
The heart speaks truth it's not just youth that marks the soul of man
There's nothin' done beneath the sun that waits until you can
Decision's made when the plans are laid in the mind's eye lookin' out
And the surest thing is the purest thing that's left no room for doubt

Waitin' til the time is right might leave the fire cold
I won't get any younger at home waitin' to grow old
The time is never better than the weather of the day
Waitin' til the sun shines only makes sense makin' hay
The longest journey takes one step makes sense to make it now
Cause I keep growin' older, can't grow younger anyhow
Yeah, I keep growin' older, can't grow younger anyhow

Chorus 2  
      Stretchin' my legs, my ol' heart begs
	To be makin' tracks
	Markin' time, "Spend that last dime!"
	What good is holdin' back

	Stretchin' my legs, shake off the dregs
	Of what I've come to be
	Find new smiles, out in those miles
	Long as this heart beats in me
	Find the smiles, left in these miles
	Long as this heart beats in me

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Alison A Smith nee Howarth August 23, 2026 at 8:55 PM A wonderfully singable lyric, full of country warmth, wit, and an irresistible forward motion. Its birds, mouse, dog, open road, and recurring chorus create a vivid world, while the speaker’s determination to keep living fully gives the song genuine heart. John Stetson August 24, 2026 at 10:06 AM Thank you, Alison. 😍 Coincidentally, I lost a good friend last January who, although a US citizen, was a lead guitar player with several country bands in Australia for over 30 years before moving back to Texas several years ago. He liked that song, too.