The Nelons - You Can't Make Old Friends Lyrics
Lyrics
What will I do when you are gone?
Who's gonna tell me the truth?
Who's gonna finish the stories I start
The way you always do?
When somebody knocks at the door
Someone new walks in
I will smile and shake their hands
But you can't make old friends
You can't make old friends
Can't make old friends
It was you and me, since way back when
But you can't make old friends
How will I sing when you are gone?
'Cause it won't sound the same
Who will join in on those harmony parts
When I call your name?
You can't make old friends
Can't make old friends
It was you and me, since way back when
But you can't make old friends
When saint peter opens the gate
And you come walking in
I will be there just waiting for you
'Cause you can't make old friends
When I am out on the stage all alone
And I hear the music begin
We all know the show must go on
But you can't make old friends
You can't make old friends
Can't make old friends
And you and me, will be young again
You can't make old friends
You and me, will be together again
'Cause we both know, we will still be old friends
You can't make old friends
Not the way we have always been
Video
The Nelons ft. Karen Peck - "You Can't Make Old Friends" (Official Live Video)
Meaning & Inspiration
The Nelons released "You Can't Make Old Friends" on August 12, 2016, as part of their album, *Stronger Together*. This particular track immediately speaks to the profound and irreplaceable nature of long-standing relationships, a theme that resonates deeply within the human spirit and finds rich context within a faith perspective.
The song delves into the unique bond shared between individuals who have journeyed through life together. It paints a vivid picture of companionship forged over time, where friends know each other intimately enough to finish stories, speak truth, and harmonize perfectly without effort. The lyrics beautifully articulate the irreplaceable void left by the absence of such a person, whether through distance or, more poignantly, through loss. While new people will inevitably enter life, offering new connections and shared moments, the song powerfully asserts that these new relationships, however valuable, simply cannot replicate the history, comfort, and shared understanding built over decades. This isn't a dismissal of new friendships but a celebration of the depth and permanence of those foundational bonds that have shaped who we are.
From a spiritual vantage point, "You Can't Make Old Friends" becomes a testament to enduring love and the hope of eternal fellowship. The initial verses, which ponder "What will I do when you are gone?" and "Who's gonna tell me the truth?", touch upon the very real pain of separation and the grief that accompanies losing a cherished companion. This experience is acknowledged throughout Scripture; King David’s lament over Jonathan in 2 Samuel 1:26, "I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me," echoes this profound sense of loss. Yet, even in sorrow, our faith offers comfort. Psalm 34:18 assures us that "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit," reminding us that God understands and shares in our human pain.
The true spiritual depth of the song shines through in its later verses, transcending earthly longing to embrace the promise of eternity. The imagery of "When Saint Peter opens the gate / And you come walking in / I will be there just waiting for you" powerfully articulates the Christian hope of reunion beyond this life. This reflects the blessed assurance found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, where Paul comforts believers regarding those who have passed away in Christ, promising that "the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command... and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them... And so we will be with the Lord forever." The song’s message that "You and me, will be young again / You and me, will be together again" beautifully captures the transformative power of resurrection and the joy of an unbroken fellowship in God's presence, where "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore" as promised in Revelation 21:4.
Ultimately, "You Can't Make Old Friends" is more than just a nostalgic reflection; it’s an encouraging affirmation of the divine design for human connection and the ultimate fulfillment of those connections in heaven. It reminds us to cherish the "old friends" God has placed in our lives, those who stand by us through every season, because such faithfulness reflects a glimpse of God's own unchanging love. Proverbs 17:17 states, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity," perfectly encapsulating the steadfast loyalty celebrated in the song. By grounding its universal sentiment of enduring friendship in the eternal hope of Christian faith, The Nelons offer not just a song, but a powerful hymn of comfort, anticipation, and the unwavering promise that our dearest bonds are not lost but merely await a glorious reunion. It is a profound meditation on the enduring power of relationships, both on earth and in the promised dwelling place of eternity, where we will indeed be "old friends" forever.