I received a letter this evening
How you reckon it read?
You're invited to a reunion
A reunion of the dead
It's been 25 years since we've seen you
Lord, don't that time go fast?
We want you to pack your bags, leave your life
We want to relive the past
Well, I respectfully decline
Oh, I respectfully decline
For this heart of mine
And my peace of mind
I respectfully decline
And a few of us got famous
A few more have sadly passed
Sister married now to the rich man
And Brother James he's pumping gas
Ivory Lee he plays harmonica
He got a blues band every Friday night
And Spec's he's still picking bluegrass
And he will till he gets it right
And I respectfully decline
Oh, I respectfully decline
For this heart of mine
And my peace of mind
I respectfully decline
And I respectfully decline
Oh, I respectfully decline
For this heart of mine
And my peace of mind
I respectfully decline
And you, you had a crush on me
The rebel boy who stood apart
After all these years you ask me the same question
Have I ever shared my heart?
I say, "thank you for your invitation
I sometimes think on the time we shared
But like a long flowing river
I'm 25 years from there"
So I respectfully decline
Oh, I respectfully decline
For this heart of mine
And my peace of mind
I respectfully decline
For this heart of mine
And my peace of mind
I respectfully decline
