Old Black Cat - Ian Anderson

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…