[Verse 1]
I was thumbing my way from Montgomery
Had my guitar on my back
When a stranger pulled up beside me in an antique Cadillac
Well, he was dressed like 1950, half drunk and hallow eyed
Said: 'It's a long walk to Nashville, would you like a ride, son'
Well, I climbed up in the front seat, and he turned on the radio
And them sad old songs comin' outta them speakers was solid country gold
Then I noticed the stranger was ghost white pale when he asked me for a light
And knew there was something strange about this ride
[Chorus]
He said: Drifter can you make folks cry when you play and sang
Have you paid your dues, can you moan the blues
Can you bend them guitar strangs
He said: Boy, can you make folks feel what you feel inside
Cause if your big star bound let me warn you its a long hard ride
[Verse 2]
Well, he cried just south of Nashville, and he turned that car around
He said: [spoken] this is where you get off, boy
Cause I'm going back to Alabam'
Well, I climbed out of that Cadillac and I said Mister, many thanks
He said you don't have to call me mister, Mister
The whole world calls me Hank
[Chorus]