Always Keep an Edge on Your Knife

Well, never put your hat on the bed, son

Never put your hat on the bed

'Cause if your hat's on the bed

You might wake up dead

So don't you never put your hat on the bed

But if you do, be sure it's upside down, son

If you do, be sure it's upside down

'Cause if there's any doubt

It keeps the luck from running out

So if you do, be sure it's upside down

I never throw a match when it's dry, son

Never throw a match when it's dry

Don't you never throw a match

'Cause the grass might catch

And burn three counties when it's dry

And always keep an edge on your knife, son

Always keep an edge on your knife

'Cause a good sharp edge

Is a man's best hedge

Against the vague uncertainties of life

Yes, a good sharp edge

Is a man's best hedge

Against the uncertain vagaries of life

But I never could sharpen no knife

Like the one who give the advice

Yodelay, yodelay, yodel

Well, never sell the old .22, son

Never sell the old .22

'Cause the old .22 shot a gopher or two

So don't you never sell the old .22

But aim it to the left, a little low, son

Aim it to the left, a little low

'Cause the old iron sight

Fires high and to the right

So aim it to the left, a little low

And always tip the glass when you pour, son

Always tip the glass when you pour

'Cause if you don't tip the glass

Then the foam, it comes fast

And runs from the table to the floor

But always keep an edge on your knife, son

Always keep an edge on your knife

'Cause the good sharp edge

Is a man's best hedge

Against the vague uncertainties of life

'Cause a good sharp edge

Is a man's best hedge

Against the uncertain vagaries of life

But I never could sharpen no knife

Like the one who give the advice

Yodelay, yodelay, yodel

Well, be sure to put your horse away dry, son

Be sure to put your horse away dry

'Cause the hot, wet horse

Ain't healthy of course

So be sure to put your horse away dry

And be sure to thaw the bit when it's cold, son

Be sure to thaw the bit when it's cold

'Cause if you don't thaw the bit

Then your pony's tongue sticks

To the frozen metal bridle when it's cold

I never judge a man by his clothes, son

Never judge a man by his clothes

You gotta look through the dirt

And Lord, judge him by his work

So don't you never judge a man by his clothes

And always keep an edge on your knife, son

Always keep an edge on your knife

'Cause a good sharp edge

Is a man's best hedge

Against the vague uncertainties of life

Yes, a good sharp edge

Is a man's best hedge

Against the uncertain vagaries of life

But I never could sharpen no knife

Like the one who give the advice

Yodelay, yodelay, yodel

And I never could sharpen no blade

Quite the way he say

Yodelay, yodelay, yodel

Yodelay, yodelay, yodelay, yodelay, yodel-oh