Old Lea Johnson
traded his car
for metal stool
and a coal stove fire
Opened a diner
serving ham and milk
No menu or blackboard
Just holler for help

Old Lea don’t serve riff raff
Don’t run a honky tonk
If you want to have that kind of fun
It’s just a short walk
He kicks out all the farmer boys
With dirt on their shoes
They clean up in the slop sink
come back shiny new

Old blue suspenders
Pulled them up proud
squinted through glasses
and white tuft brows
the ladies are grinning
He’s looking real smart
Hugging their necks
And breaking their hearts

Old Lea Johnson
Was a prodigal son
An eighth grade dropout
Who could have been done
Always at the turn off
To highway one seven
He’ll never serve booze
He wants to go to heaven