Jennings: You'd've thought a king had died The way those people cried Instead of one more broken entertainer Kristofferson: It struck those in his trade He could-a had it made If he'd only been a little saner Jennings: They traveled far to see him Oh, the humble and the high They said goodbye as if he were a friend All: Now somewhere he is smilin' On those who idolize him But would they not recognize him If he came back again? Nelson: He was born of modest means And had outrageous dreams They never let him rest till he fullfilled them Cash: While he rode that train of song His devils tagged along The whiskey and the pills just couldn't k** him
Nelson: He didn't mean to be a rebel Cash: No the real ones never do Nelson: They are born apart from ordinary men All: And somewhere he is smilin' On those who sanctify him But would they not recognize him If he came back again? Jennings: But it's an old, familiar story Kristofferson: But it's a damn shame nonetheless Nelson: They don't forgive his kind Cash: Until they lay them down to rest All: And somewhere he is smilin' On those who idolize him But would they not recognize him If he came back again? If he came back again? Cash attempts to sing the last line again and that seems to be wrong and very funny to everyone