1 EXHIBIT 5 November 7, 1997 Genesco Inc. 1415 Murfreesboro Road Nashville, Tennessee 37217 Gentlemen: I have acted as counsel to you in connection with the authorization and registration under the Securities Act of 1933 of certain shares of your common stock, $1.00 par value per share, to be offered and sold pursuant to Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreements with David M. Chamberlain dated December 21, 1994, as amended and restated (the "Agreements"). In that capacity, I am of the opinion that such shares have been validly authorized and, when issued and paid for as provided in the Agreements, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. I hereby consent to your filing this letter as an exhibit to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 covering the Agreements and the shares to be issued thereunder. Yours very truly, /s/ ROGER G. SISSON Roger G. Sisson