Back in the mountains of eastern Kentucky
A young boy grew up with a dream
Of playin' the Opry like all of his heroes
By the time that he learned how to walk he could sing
Blessed with the voice of a wild mountain songbird
Quick with a kind word and a smile
His songs about heartache, hard-livin' and true love
Came right from the pages of life's lonely miles
And his voice rang true, as his legend grew
He was destined to shine like a star
But he never forgot who that he was
Or the friends that he made with his old guitar
He wasn't a stranger to the rain or its danger
Found on the highways of life
Too soon it was over, the road it had ended
And all we were left with was the sound of goodbye
Somewhere in the mountains of eastern Kentucky
A young boy is dreaming tonight
Of playin' the Opry like his fallen hero
Who's gone on to sing with the angels on high
And a voice still rings true from the man that we knew
Though his leavin' we can't understand
And a new star shines bright in the heavens tonight
Now that he's part of that great angel band