The house lights dim; the curtain slowly retracts

A lone spot looms large, large, as the man is tall

The man steps forward; the diverse crowd reacts

He introduces himself even though there is no call

Nothing fancy for him for from the music it distracts

The sound of  “Boom chicka boom” fills the hall

That bass voice resounds though the hearts of fans

His face is deeply lined with his pride and his pain

The crowd noise grows as everyone listening stands

He starts to do his own thing his way and entertain

His music is so true that it has inspired many bands

He’s in constant pain but he ain’t gonna complain

The show is too quickly over, but the music lingers

The crowd is gone but him they’ll always remember

That voice once drunk and drugged still sends shivers

It will never be silenced though he left us in September

For his message of peace and love in all of us lingers

The message was so simple always love your neighbor

From the Arkansas cotton fields to super-stardom

From the Land of Kings to the Ville of Henderson

From the White House to the gray walls of Folsom

From Tennessee to his Almighty Lord’s Kingdom

Leaving behind his four oldest daughters and a son

He’s now with his June who led him to salvation

I can picture it so clearly now; there's the pearly gates

A rough-hewn man in a long black coat is coming into view

A large old fisherman in white stands and calmly waits

Behind him there’s Carl, Waylon, and all the old crew

It's a long reception line of all the old country greats

With a grin the Man in Black says,  "Hello My name's SUE…

"How DO you DO?"