I'm 72 and my days are numbered I know.
But when the Master calls I will gladly go
For my loved ones wait for me on Jordan's shore
And my trials and tribulations will be no more
So I don't worry about what tomorrow brings
For I know I could wake up where the Angels sing
This song was covered by the Byrds on Turn Turn Turn; though I never heard it before the current 50th Anniversary of The Sweetheart of the Rodeo tour, where the tremendous collaboration of Marty Stuart and his band, Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman do a spectacular rockabilly version; their first foray into true country leading to the Sweetheart album (which I know by heart in all of its released versions). Check that one out too, it’s so damn good. Thanks Porter!
I just got back from Nashville today. Went to see a show last night, but also wanted to stop by Porter's grave. I discovered his music maybe four years ago by accident, and I experienced a connection with him and his songs and his voice that I still can't explain. I found his grave marker, and felt compelled to sing this song there. I had already started weeping. It's been a cold, dark couple of days, sun starts going down at five and overcast all weekend. A few seconds after I start singing, the sun shoots out bright and warm on my right shoulder through the clouds for the first time that weekend, sunbeams all around, like a hand on my shoulder. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
When I was a young lad back in the '50s my grandma would have KFOX in L.A. playing on her radio in her Pontiac while we were washing it, boy does this song bring back memories.