Ring True                                                              c 2007  David Gohn


My daddy took me to my first country music show when I was just 10  years old
We heard Johnny Cash singin’ all those songs we heard him singin’ on the radio
In a voice rougher than a country road his soul shined through
And the music was about the song, not the singer, and the songs rang true

Ring true, maybe you don’t have the voice of an angel
Ring true, you can’t pick a guitar the way Chet Atkins used to
Ring true, just use the tools the good lord gave ya’
Open up your heart and let the songs ring true

Ring true, maybe you don’t have the voice of an angel
Ring true, you can’t pick a guitar the way Danny Gatton used to
Ring true, just use the tools the good lord gave ya’
Open up your heart and let the songs ring true

Well Johnny died and went to heaven, I imagined him kneeling there before the throne
Sayin’, “Lord I’ve been croakin' like a bullfrog just as long as I’ve been grown
If you gave me the voice of Pavorotti, or even Sinatra, I’d be much obliged to you
And the lord said, “Oh Johnny, you know I could do it, but I’m not about to.

Ring true, you already have the voice of an angel
Ring true, I like ya’ just the way I made ya’
We saved you a place in my choir                              (sing Walk the Line and Ring of Fire!)
Lift up your voice and let the song ring true.”

Ring true, maybe you don’t have the voice of an angel
Then again, maybe you do.