About The Song
In early 1969 Bobby Bare scored one of his strongest hits with the clever narrative song “(Margie’s At) The Lincoln Park Inn.” Written by Tom T. Hall, the track was released as a single in February and quickly climbed the charts, eventually peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot Country Singles survey. The song showcased Bare’s talent for delivering witty, story-driven material with just the right touch of dry humor and earned him another solid entry in his string of late-1960s successes.
Tom T. Hall crafted the song as a sly look at a man trying to juggle his respectable public life with a secret rendezvous. The narrator mentions taking the Boy Scouts on a hike and having his name in the paper for community work, all while admitting that Margie is waiting for him at the Lincoln Park Inn. The lyrics walk a fine line between confession and justification, creating a humorous yet slightly uneasy portrait of a man caught between duty and desire.
Bare delivered the performance with his signature relaxed, conversational style. His warm baritone and understated phrasing let the song’s wit and wordplay shine without overplaying the humor. The arrangement kept things straightforward, allowing the clever lyrics and Bare’s natural storytelling ability to carry the track. It was exactly the kind of intelligent, character-driven material that suited his voice and persona perfectly.
The single’s strong chart showing came during a fertile period for Bare, when he was successfully blending traditional country storytelling with more contemporary themes. “(Margie’s At) The Lincoln Park Inn” proved that audiences responded well to songs that mixed humor with a touch of adult realism. It became one of his most recognizable hits from the era and helped solidify his reputation as an artist who could handle both serious and lighthearted material with equal skill.
The song’s enduring appeal comes from its sharp writing and relatable central conflict. Hall’s lyrics capture the small-town tension between appearances and private behavior in a way that still feels fresh. Bare’s easygoing delivery made the potentially risqué subject matter feel charming rather than crude, which helped the record cross over to a broad country audience.
Decades later “(Margie’s At) The Lincoln Park Inn” remains one of Bobby Bare’s most fondly remembered recordings. It frequently appears on compilations of his work and continues to be appreciated for its clever construction and warm performance. The track stands as a fine example of late-1960s country songwriting at its most entertaining and observant.
More than fifty years after its release, the song continues to delight listeners with its sly humor and sharp storytelling. What began as another strong Tom T. Hall composition became one of Bobby Bare’s signature hits, showcasing his ability to bring intelligence, warmth, and just the right amount of mischief to country music.
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Lyric
My names in the paper where I took the Boy Scouts to hike
My hands are all dirty from working on my little boy?s bike
The preacher came by and I talked for a minute with him
My wife?s in the kitchen and Margie is at the Lincoln Park Inn
And I know why she’s there I’ve been there before
But I made a promise that I wouldn’t cheat anymore
I try to ignore it but I know she’s in there my friend
My mind?s on a number and Margie is at the Lincoln Park Inn
Next Sunday it?s my turn to speak to the young peoples’ class
And they expect answers to all the questions they ask
What would they say if I spoke on a modern day sin?
And all of the Margie?s and all of the Lincoln Park Inns
The bike is all fixed and my little boy?s in bed asleep
His little warm puppy is curled in a ball at my feet
My wife?s baking cookies to feed to the bridge club again
I’m almost out of cigarettes and Margie is at the Lincoln Park Inn
And I know why she’s there