Toby Keith - Don't Let The Old Man In

Toby Keith

After receiving the first Country Icon Award at the inaugural People’s Choice Country Awards on Thursday (September 28), Toby Keith shared an emotional performance of his 2018 ballad “Don’t Let the Old Man In.”

The poignant performance marked a rare return to the stage for Keith, who revealed in 2022 that he was diagnosed with stomach cancer.
For Keith, who released the song on his 2019 compilation Greatest Hits: The Show Dog Years, the lyrics became more resonant within his own life in recent years.

In the song, the “old man” is a metaphor for death. The lyrics face mortality, the fight to live and survive, regardless of one’s situation.

Adios My Friend.....,

Don't let the old man in
I wanna leave this alone
Can't leave it up to him
He's knocking on my door

And I knew all of my life
That someday it would end
Get up and go outside
Don't let the old man in

Many moons I have lived
My body's weathered and worn
Ask yourself how would you be
If you didn't know the day you were born

Try to love on your wife
And stay close to your friends
Toast each sundown with wine
Don't let the old man in

Many moons I have lived
My body's weathered and worn
Ask yourself how would you be
If you didn't know the day you were born

When he rides up on his horse
And you feel that cold bitter wind
Look out your window and smile
Don't let the old man in

Look out your window and smile
Don't let the old man in