I was lost in trouble and strife
I heard a voice and it changed my life
Now it's a brand new day and I ain't afraid to say
You're not alone when you're down and out
I think you know who I'm talking about
When I don't know how I'll get through, I ask myself, what would Willie do
Long ago he came unto us
His words were simple but they went right through us
And the whole world sang along
But then they didn't want to hear his songs
He was gone and we thought we'd lost him
But he just grew his hair and he moved to Austin
All of the people smiled
They came to hear him sing from miles
And like a miracle all the rednecks and the hippies
From New York City down to Mississippi
Stood together and raised a brew
When your skies are grey, what would Willie do
You know, sometimes I wonder when I ain't gettin' nowhere
What would old Willie do when things get too much to bear
And I see him on sittin? his lonely old bus
And he's got his problems just like any of us
And I bet he?d just take a deep breath and he?d let em all go
Then he'd take another deep breath and he?d let ?em all go
Then he'd take another deep breath then he'd hold it
And then I bet he?d feel hungry in a way that seems strange
Yes, hungry for all the things he just can't change
Like the time he passed out in his own bedroom
And his ex-wife sewed him up in the sheet and she beat him with a broom
And he forgave her, and you think that's rough
Then the IRS Came and they took away all of his stuff
They took his golf course and his recording studio
And he just went on out and did another show
When it's all coming down on you,
I think you better ask yourself, what would Willie do
What would Willie do, well he'd travel so far
With nothing but a song and an old guitar
And a tour bus and some semi-trucks
And thirty crewman and a little bit of luck
He loves all the people, the rank and the randy
If you don't believe it, take a look at the family
And they'll tell you that it's true
When your skies are gray, what would Willie do?
What would Willie do, he'd take a little time
And he?d talk to old Rooster as they drive on down the line
There's millions down that road
And with a word he's gonna lighten their load
He loves all the people no matter their races
Hell, he even made a hit country song with Julio Iglesias
And that ain't easy to do
When it's all too much, what would Willie
When the game gets tough, what would Willie
When they call your bluff, what would Willie do