He said the only difference is what you're gettin' paid
But in the eyes of a child, man, his fingers flew
He didn't care that everybody knew my name
I made it from the beer joints to the Opry stage
Packed up everything and just took off one night
But I'd love to hear the banjo ring for me tonight
I practiced and I practiced 'til I got it right
And the pain of losin' him cuts like a Randall knife
'John Henry, ol' shep and faded love
My faith and common sense tell me the preacher's right
He's walkin' hand in hand, in hand with God's only son"
And the pain of losin' him cuts like a Randall knife
I fall to pieces and on the wings of a dove'
He said it's all for nothin' if you don't stay the same
As long as I remember him he'll always be around
Just a few chords on the banjo that was all he knew
And I will honor my father with these words I write down
But when he died the preacher cried and said, "He's the lucky one
I learned a few chords on the banjo as the key to life
