Verse 1:

Gather round the fire at the edge of the town

Bring all the treasures that are weighing you down

A rusty old bicycle, a lamp made of brass

A collection of marbles and a looking-glass.

Verse 2:

I’ve got a banjo that’s missing a string

But boy, you should hear how the mahogany sings

I’ll trade it for that saddle that’s gathering dust

And we’ll both have a laugh and a moment of trust.

Chorus:

At the swap meet, the swap meet, under the moon

Trading our stories to a fiddle-foot tune

Everything’s old but everything’s new

When it’s passing from me and it’s going to you.

Verse 3:

Swap a wool sweater for a basket of plums

Drumming a beat on the hollow-log drums

No taxes, no interest, no debt on the head

Just a warm feeling as we’re going to bed.

Bridge:

The junk in your attic is the joy in my heart

It’s the beautiful way that a friendship can start

One man’s burden is another man’s prize

Look at the sparkle in everyone’s eyes.

Verse 4:

The fire is low and the wagons are packed

But there isn't a single thing that we lacked

We traded the clutter for a sense of the kin

Until the next swap meet can finally begin.

Chorus:

At the swap meet, the swap meet, under the moon

Trading our stories to a fiddle-foot tune

Everything’s old but everything’s new

When it’s passing from me and it’s going to you.