I can remember the good old days when the boys knew how to play their axe,
Singers wailed and the drummers slayed - man, those are just the facts,
The energy grooved, the kind thing that moves ya, makes you want to scream and shout,
Not again, another new style - I think I'll sit this one out.

I'm gonna light one for the old guard,
Gonna light one for the new,
Gonna shake down real hard, sing them the blues,
I'm gonna light one for the old guard,
Gonna light one for the new,
Gonna shake down real hard - how 'bout you'

Remember when you could see a band and they'd blow you right away'
You'd go home and practice as hard as you can, really learn how to play,
Moving on and those days are long gone; I think it is a crying shame,
Tell you one thing: we have ourselves to blame.

I'm gonna light one for the old guard,
I'm gonna light one for the new,
I'm gonna shake down real hard, show them the views,
I'm gonna light one for the old guard,
Gonna light one for the new,
Gonna shake down real hard, sing them the blues.

Proud of where I came from, proud of where I am,
We'll all be dated sometime, dish out all your slams,
I ain't on the ego plan, don't need the praise of man,
God above's my only love, he takes me as I am.

I'm gonna light one for the old guard,
Gonna light one for the new,
Gonna shake down real hard, show them the blues,
I'm gonna light one for the old guard,
Gonna light one for the new,
Gonna shake down real hard - how 'bout you'
Let's light one for the old guard,
Let's light one for the new,
Let's shake down real hard, show them the blues,
Let's light one for the old guard,
(fade)