We were tunin' up to play a gig
Just another one night stand
I looked over my guitar
And there stood an old man.

His cowboy clothes were frayed and worn
And his boots were far from new
He said I'd like to sit in with your band
I'm a country singer too.

Well, we just had a big laugh
And when I looked back at the old man
There was a tear in his eye
I told the band to cool it
I didn't wanna see him cry.

He reached down and he took my guitar
With a determined look on his face
But as he started to play and sing
A look of sadness took its place.

He said I've sang my songs from Maine to California
Seen the world through the window of a car
I never saved a dime back when I made it
I always thought someday I'd be a star.

But now my voice is cracked and no one wants me
My wife gave up on me years ago
It's been so long my kids don't even know me
Pickin' and singin' is the only life I know.

And then he said,

I wonder if God likes country music
Will there be a place up there to sing my songs
Will he make my fingers nimble like they used to be
So I can play the chords and sing along.

I just stood there, none of us really knew what to say
He took my guitar and he put it down ever so gently
And then as he started to turn and leave
The band stood up and applauded
And I can still hear his words today, he said

I wonder if God likes country music
Will there be a place up there to sing my songs
Will he make my fingers nimble like they used to be
So I can play the chords and sing along...