Lyrics Old Black Cat - Ian Anderson

Old Black Cat

My old black cat passed away this morning
He never knew what a hard day was
Woke up late and danced on tin roofs
If questioned «Why?»
— answered, «Just because.»
He never spoke much, preferring silence:
Eight lost lives was all he had
Occasionally sneaked some Sunday dinner
He wasn’t good and he wasn’t bad
My old black cat wasn’t much of a looker
You could pass him by — just a quiet shadow
Got pushed around by all the other little guys
Didn’t seem to mind much — just the way life goes
Padded about in furry slippers
Didn’t make any special friends
He played it cool with wide-eyed innocence
Receiving gladly what the good Lord sends
Forgot to give his Christmas present
Black cat collar, nice and new
Thought he’d make it through to New Year
I guess this song will have to do
My old black cat…
Old black cat…