Porter Wagoner’s Grave

A world-wearied man with tear filled eyes
Walked in off the street of the uncommonly wise
Into the church meeting, with this story he came
Sometimes angels and strangers are one and the same
The preacher said “Sir, you’re welcome in here
Now tell us as much as you’d want us to hear”
And the stranger said, “It was no more than an hour ago, people
I was lookin’ for shelter for the night.”
“I wanted to go somewhere out of the way
Somewhere peaceful and quiet.”
“So I went to a cemetery, close by Thompson Lane
And with full respect I entered it and found rest from the rain.”
“I laid down under a sycamore, an’ I was barely asleep
When someone said “Hello stranger” and touched the boots on my feet.”
“His hair was pure silver, almost like a crown of glory on top
And the rain didn’t touch him, not one single drop.”
“His voice was familiar, it brought me comfort and peace.”
“He laughed and said, “Well, we picked a strange place to meet
But I understand, I’ve often come here to pray
When the burdens of life put stones in my way.”
“And you see friend, you and me, we’re brothers
Though we’ve never met.”
“We’ve both known heartache, disappointment and the pain of regret.”
“The full weight of sadness, love and it’s cost
And without love, a soul is nothing, but empty and lost.”
“And I’ve come to tell you, to go on now and be brave.”
“You can live again.”
“You know it’s her love that you crave.”
“Go find the one you left behind, hold her, take her by the hand.”
“Show her how much you need her, I believe she’ll understand.”
“Now son you take a look at this ground, it’s filled with things unsaid.”
“There’s a world of good intentions here in the land of the dead.”
“And friend I’m here to tell ya, on this very night, I was sent by your Maker, the giver of life, to tell you there’s rest
For your soul.”
“There’s peace and relief, if you’ll just surrender your burdens.”
“Lay them at God’s feet.”
“Walk out of this place.”
“Go now and live in the light of a pure perfect presence
That loves and forgives.”
He wore a long purple coat, covered in wheels
Red leather boots, with sparkling heels
On a dark stormy night, a lost soul was saved
Brought into the fold on Porter Wagoner’s grave