An echo fades of sounds once heard    

By thousands brought together for     

His ringing voice, a soul that stirred

The faithful to a mighty roar.        

                                      

For twenty years upon the stage       

For twenty years upon the stage            

The passion deep within his soul           

Brought forth the anger and the rage       

His vision locked upon one goal.           

                                           

The promises of rock and roll could        

Break the chains upon his life,            

Guitar in hand he vowed he would           

Be free from pain and inner strife.        

                                           

He shook the rafters in the halls          

And brought the faithful to their feet,    

His river coursed through mighty walls     

Across this land, down every street.       

                                           

With flag unfurled he took the word        

Across the seas to hungry youth            

Who raised their hands when e'er they heard

His cries for faith, and hope, and truth.  

                                           

Today he stands with inner peace           

A man content with home and health,        

Upon his brow a jagged crease              

A symbol of success and wealth.      

                                     

The thunder of his younger days      

Has passed, and now his words reveal 

A calmer soul in many ways           

Fulfilled with satisfactions real.   

                                     

His arms upraised against the light  

He stands alone, his eyes look toward

The ground below, a bird in flight   

Still searching for his true reward. 

                                     

His mission done, he finds retreat   

With children and a loving wife,     

His body tired from the heat         

The price he pays for touring life.  

                                     

But deep within the longings stir    

The music runs within him still,     

His passions for the times that were 

Are stronger than his iron will.     

                                     

And all of us who know the man                              

Will come together when he cries                            

The message we all understand                               

The thunder in us never dies.