EXHIBIT 5

                                 ROGER G. SISSON
                  VICE PRESIDENT, SECRETARY AND GENERAL COUNSEL
                                  GENESCO INC.
                             1415 MURFREESBORO ROAD
                         NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37217-2895

September 9, 2005


Genesco Inc.
1415 Murfreesboro Road
Nashville, Tennessee 37217-2895

Gentlemen and Ladies:

         At your request, I have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8
(the "Registration Statement") to be filed by Genesco Inc., a Tennessee
corporation ("Genesco" or the "Company"), with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission") on or about September 9, 2005 in connection with
the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of an aggregate
of 1,000,000 shares of Genesco's common stock, $1.00 par value, and related
preferred stock purchase rights (the "Shares"), subject to issuance by Genesco
pursuant to the Genesco Inc. 2005 Equity Incentive Plan.

         In rendering this opinion, I have examined such documents as I have
deemed necessary in order to render the opinion set forth herein. In my
examination of documents for purposes of this opinion, I have assumed, and
express no opinion as to, the genuineness of all signatures on original
documents, the authenticity and completeness of all documents submitted to me as
originals, the conformity to originals and completeness of all documents
submitted to me as copies, the legal capacity of all persons or entities
executing the same, the lack of any undisclosed termination, modification,
waiver or amendment to any such document and the due authorization, execution
and delivery of all such documents where due authorization, execution and
delivery are prerequisites to the effectiveness thereof. I have also assumed
that the certificates representing the Shares have been, or will be when issued,
properly signed by authorized officers of the Company or their agents.

         As to matters of fact relevant to this opinion, I have relied solely
upon my examination of the documents referred to above and have assumed the
current accuracy and completeness of the information obtained from such
documents. I have made no independent investigation or other attempt to verify
the accuracy of any of such information or to determine the existence or
non-existence of any other factual matters.

         I am admitted to practice law in the State of Tennessee, and I render
this opinion only with respect to, and express no opinion herein concerning the
application or effect of the laws of any jurisdiction other than, the existing
laws of the United States of America and of the State of Tennessee.

         Based upon the foregoing, it is my opinion that the 1,000,000 Shares
that may be issued pursuant to the Plan, when issued, sold and delivered in
accordance with the terms of the Plan will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

         I consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and further consent to all references to me, if any, in the
Registration Statement, the Prospectus constituting a part thereof and any
amendments thereto. This opinion is intended solely for use in connection with
issuance and sale of shares subject to the Registration Statement and is not to
be relied upon for any other purpose. This opinion is rendered as of the date
first written above and based solely on my understanding of facts in existence
as of such date after the aforementioned examination. I assume no obligation to
advise you of any fact, circumstance, event or change in the law or the facts
that may hereafter be brought to my attention whether or not such occurrence
would affect or modify the opinions expressed herein.

                                         Very truly yours,

                                         /s/ Roger G. Sisson

                                         Roger G. Sisson



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