I was thumbing from Montgomery

I had my guitar on my back

When a stranger stopped beside me in an antique Cadillac

He was dress like 1950

Half drunk and hollow eyed

He said its a long walk to Nashville would you like a ride son



Well I sat down in the front seat

He turned on the radio

And them sad old songs coming outta them speakers was solid country gold

Then I noticed the stranger was ghost white pale

When I asked him for a light

And I knew there was something strange about this ride



Chorus

He said drifter can you make folks cry when you play and sing

Have you paid your dues?

Can you moan the blues?

Can you bend them guitar strings?

He said boy can you make folks feel what you feel inside?

Cause if your big star bound let me warn you it's a long hard ride



Well he cried just south of Nashville

And he turned that car around

He said this is where you get off boy

I'm goin' back to Alabam

And as I stepped outta that Cadillac

I said mister many thanks

He said you don't have to call me mister mister

The whole world calls me Hank



Chorus

He said drifter can you make folks cry when you play and sing

Have you paid your dues?

Can you moan the blues?

Can you bend them guitar strings?

He said boy can you make folks feel what you feel inside?

Cause if your big star bound let me warn you it's a long hard ride