I'd like to tell a story if you folks wouldn't mind
But this one's true and it really happened in that little hometown of mine
There was a kind old colored feller who the folks was always fond
I don't even remember what his last name was; we always just called him Uncle John
Why I remember when I was little, I used to go and see him nearly every day
Just to sit and hear his stories an' while some time away
Why, he was in his height of glory when there was children around his feet
I've seen him laugh right out loud and say, "Lord God, you children sure is sweet"
I know in his big wide world there must be kind folks by the bushel
But I just believe that in this one old man Lord put something special
Why I've seen times when folks was sick that the old man would walk for miles
Just to offer his assistance and try to help out a little while
He was always doin' things like that, givin' when he couldn't afford it
Funny thing was, though, he never did ask for no pay
Said he was always a workin' for the Lord
Now Uncle John had this sickness that he didn't know about
Folks didn't know whether to tell him or just let him live without
But then one day they decided that they oughta let him know
So they asked Doc Boyd if he'd go tell him, and he said, yeah, he'd go
He found old John sittin' in his homemade rockin' chair
Thumbin' through a worn out Bible and readin' little scriptures here and there
The Doc was scared and he was nervous 'cause he didn't know quite where to start
Don't you know his conscience fought him; he'd come to break the old man's heart
But he gathered up his courage and he found the words to say
"Uncle John, the Lord's comin' and he's gonna take you away"
Why there must've been a choir of angels started singin' in that old man's ears
For a great big smile come on him and his eyes broke out in tears
And he said, "Why, Doctor Boyd, that's the most glorious news I ever heard
I've been livin' almost eighty five years now just to hear them blessed words
Now to know that he's finally callin' me to leave this earthly sod
Why, Doc, I've just been livin' this old life so's I could get to meet my God"
Uncle John Lyrics performed by Hank Williams Jr. are property and copyright of the authors, artists and labels. You should note that Uncle John Lyrics performed by Hank Williams Jr. is only provided for educational purposes only and if you like the song you should buy the CD