Page type: lyric reference
Artist: Tom Petty
Canonical path: /tom-petty/this-old-town
Related lyric paths: 6
Video embedded: yes
Lyric guide
This Old Town
Read This Old Town lyrics by Tom Petty on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
person
Curated by Ethan Walker
LyroVerse team
Reference snapshot
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
Lyrics
This Old Town
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
Living free is gaining on me
Can't keep ahead of my dreams
My relief turned out a thief
Smooth as rocks in the stream
This old time is a sad affair
You be glad you're not there
It ties your hands
It spikes your drink
I'd say more, but I can't think
Lazy Jim took a bottle with him
Tried to flag down a train
Left a note
Couldn't read what he wrote
A light came on in my brain
This old time is a sad affair
You be glad you're not there
It ties your hands
It spikes your drink
I'd say more, but I can't think
The hills are gold
Mornings are cold
Don't know a soul on the street
I keep to myself like everyone else
Nobody says much to me
Go to bed, fight thoughts in my head
In the two in between wake and sleep
Rats to kill, contracts to fill
It's on ice, but it won't keep
This old time is a sad affair
You be glad you're not there
It ties your hands
It spikes your drink
I'd say more, but I can't think
This old time is a sad affair
You be glad you're not there
It ties your hands
It spikes your drink
I'd say more, but I can't think
Quick answers
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "This Old Town"?
Tom Petty performs "This Old Town", and this lyric page sits inside the Tom Petty catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "This Old Town"?
Yes. The related section below points to Don't do Me Like That and Learning To Fly with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by Tom Petty?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Tom Petty's lyric pages.
Song Room
Open Song Room
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
Listener comments
What people are saying
No listener comments on This Old Town yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.