INTRO:
C Dm G G
C Dm G G
C Em F  C  G
C  C

VERSE:
C            Dm              G   G
 We had an apartment in the city
C        Dm           G          C
 Me and Loretta like living there
C                 G               F
 Well, it's been years since the kids have grown
       C                  G       G
A life of their own, left us alone


VERSE:
C          Dm           G    G
 John and Linda live in Omaha
C        Dm           G      G
 Joe is somewhere on the road

C         G             F
 We lost Davy in the Korean War
       C                                 G
Still don’t know what for, don't matter anymore


CHORUS:
Bb                              C
  You know that old trees just grow stronger
         Bb                       C
And old rivers grow wilder every day
Em                     F
  But old people just grow lonesome
             C                  G                C  C
Waiting for someone to say, "Hello in there, hello"


VERSE:
C        Dm          G
 Me and Loretta, we don't talk much anymore
C                   Dm                          G
 She sits and just stares through the backdoor screen
C                          F
 And all the news just repeats itself
           C                          G
Like some forgotten dream that we’ve both seen


VERSE:
C             Dm              G
 Someday I'll go and call up Rudy
C             Dm                G
 We worked together at the factory
C                            F
 But what could I say if he asks "What's new?"
          C                         G
"Nothing, what's with you? Nothing much to do"


CHORUS:
Bb                              C
  You know that old trees just grow strong
         Bb                  C
And old rivers wilder every day
Em                      F
  Old people just grow lonesome
             C                  G
Waiting for someone to say, "Hello in there"


INSTRUMENTAL:
F   G  F  G
Em  F  C  G


VERSE:
C       Dm                      G
 So if you're walking down the street sometime
C               Dm             G
 And spot some hollow ancient eyes
C                           F
 Please don't just pass 'em by and stare
       C                         G                              C
As if you didn't care, say, "Hello in there,(hello in there) hello"