Thomas Earl "Tom" Petty (born October 20, 1950) is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Lyrics to "This Old Town" by TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS: 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 … Tom Petty. 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 town is a sa Lyrics to "This Old Town" on Lyrics.com. Tom Petty - This Old Town Lyrics. Read or print original This Old Town lyrics 2020 updated! Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers lyrics - 201 song lyrics sorted by album, including "American Girl", "You Don't Know How It Feels", "Free Fallin'". Living free is gaining on me / Can't keep ahead of my dreams / My relief turned