Now Buttermilk John played the steel guitar
It made a mournful sound
From the cotton fields of Arkansas

To the streets of that Nashville town

Oh John, oh John, play all night long

Play till my tears run dry
Oh John, oh John, play one last song
Before you take that final ride


Now Buttermilk John sure loved Miss Jean
She never left his side

Was the sweetest love I've ever seen
The Holy Bible was their guide


Oh John, oh John, play all night long
Play till my tears run dry
Oh John, oh John, play one last song

Before you take that final ride

Now Buttermilk John was a godly man

I loved him like a son
Now he's gone on to the Glory Land
With Jesus he, he will run


Oh John, oh John, play all night long
Play till my tears run dry

Oh John, oh John, play one last song
Before you take that final ride


Oh John, oh John, play one last song
Before you take that final ride