We called it "Hootenanny Night",
Now they call it an "Open Mike".
We'd sing three of our best songs for free
About how things in life ought to be.

The tables were round,
Cigarette stained out of wood
And if no one made a sound,
You knew your songs were good.

Candles would shine upon the faces around each table.
You could take your pick of coffees, teas, whiskey or ale
And just when you'd think that the night had all but ended,
Someone in the back would yell, someone that you'd befriended,

"Hey, play me a song, so I can sing along.
Make everything seem right, 'cause everything's gone wrong.
Sing it out again for me, my old friend.
Play me a song that takes me way back when..."

Folksingers would come with their guitars inside their cases.
Some hoped to be discovered in any one of those old places.
Our list of songs was taped to the sides of our guitars.
We'd pass the hat and sing our songs until the early morning hours.

Candles would shine upon the faces around each table.
You could take your pick of coffees, teas, whiskey or ale
And just when you'd think that the night had all but ended,
Someone in the back would yell, someone that you'd befriended,

"Hey, play me a song, so I can sing along.
Make everything seem right, 'cause everything's gone wrong.
Sing it out again for me, my old friend.
Play me a song that takes me way back when..."

Now a fast food restaurant proudly stands upon the flowers,
In the place of where all the problems of the world were solved on our guitars.
Now some are doing time at city jobs. Some are working upon the land.
Some have even hit the "big time" in a rock 'n roll band.

Ah but I can still remember every one of those old places.
I can see the candle light shining off of every flower childs' faces.
If you close your eyes you can smell the mocha coffees and herbal teas
And hear someone yelling from out of the past, "Hey won't you please

Play me a song so I can sing along.
Make everything seem right, 'cause everything's gone wrong.
Sing it out again for me, my old friend.
Play me a song that takes me way back when..."