Got the news this morning

Knew it'd be a tough day

Some are so much larger than life

You can't believe they could pass away

When it comes to country music he's the world

And it wouldn't be all it is without Merle



He won't ever be gone

His songs live on

A fugitive and a branded man

Mama tried to understand

Left us a lifetime of songs

And he won't ever be gone



We were friends right from the start

We shared some high times

I would sing some songs he wrote

He would sing a few of mine

The music made us brothers till the end

And not a day goes by that I don't miss him



He won't ever be gone

His songs live on

Ramblin' fever and the way I am

Blue collar blues for the working man

We'll be singing him back home from now on

He won't ever be gone



He won't ever be gone

His songs live on

A fugitive and a branded man

Mama tried to understand

Left us a lifetime of songs

He won't ever be gone



We'll be singing him back home from now on

He won't ever be gone