D-18

In a pawn shop in Odysessa in the fall of ’64
The pawn shop man was leavin’ he was lockin’ up the door
I ran up just in time and I holler’d just through the screen
Hey, man, you got any good guitars in here,
he said “I got this D-18”

So I gave him a hundred dollars and I took that sucker home
I cleaned it up and strung it hit a chord and heard that tone
It was crisp and clean rich and full all a guitar ought to be
I said Thank you, Mr, Martin, you made this D-18 for me

   Said Thank you, Mr. Martin, I’m alright
   ‘Cause once again this old guitar helped me through the night
   I’m mighty grateful to you, you know how to make ’em right
   I said Thank you, Mr. Martin, I’m alright

If I’m feelin’ down and worthless and I haven’t got a dime
Wonderin’ if I spent my life just wastin’ my time
I pick up that old guitar some paper and a pen
I say Thank you, Mr. Martin, you saved my life again.

I’ve written songs about my lovers my family and my friends
My wife my child the old home place and the road that never ends
Heros hobos rock n’ roll and a honky tonk queen
I wrote ’em all without exception on my Martin D-18

Now It was made way back In ’43 when I was just a kid
I believe it’s about the best thing Mr. Martin ever did
It plays real good stays in tune and never treats me mean
Thank God for Mr. Martin and that fine old D-18.

Well there’s your Galagher your Gibson your Goya Gretch and Guild
I’ve played every kind of guitar that them guitar makers build
I’ picked on a lot of axes but the best I’ve ever seen
Is my funky beat up wonderful old Martin D-18.