Dear Departed Winston Hays
David's thoughts about this song...
The basic story of Dear Departed Winston Hays is not original, but is derived from a joke I heard some years ago. I had wanted to write a bluegrass story song, and in the summer of 2003, I had a day to kill waiting for a plane in Romania, and there happened to be a guitar I could borrow. So I spent a few hours writing, and was pleased with the result. Although this is technically not a Christian song, may I say in my defense that it portrays more biblical truth than many Christian songs do! Like the chorus says, the righteous will rise and the wicked will fall. And Parson Johnson certainly displayed the wisdom of Solomon.
Download Dear Departed Winston Hays (7.3 mb)
Dear Departed Winston Hays
© 2003 David A. Servant
Lead vocal and guitars: David Servant, BV; Becky Servant
1.) Winston Hays was wicked, a greedy rattlesnake • He and his two brothers owned the town • And all three were so crooked that folks would often say, "When they die, they'll be screwed into the ground" • "They're so crooked, they'll be screwed into the ground" • 2.) On a cold winter night, Winston's car stalled on the highway • They found his frozen body in the snow • And the townsfolk rejoiced when they heard the happy news • They said "One down, just two more to go." • They said "One down, just two more to go." •• And Parson Johnson preached: • Run from greed; tell no lies • Cause the wicked fall, and the righteous rise • 3.) The dead man's brothers, placed a want ad in the paper • For a funeral at which they'd pay • Seven thousand dollars to the preacher who would say • That their dear departed brother was a saint • That their dear departed brother was a saint • 4.) The whole town was shocked when Parson Johnson took the offer • Surely love of money caused his fall • And the whole town came for the funeral that Tuesday • To watch a man of God forsake his call • To watch a man of God forsake his call •• ' Cause Parson Johnson preached... • 5.) The two Hays brothers sat in the first pew • With an envelope in hand • And they smiled at each other as they thought of their dead brother • Parson Johnson smiled at them and took the stand • Parson Johnson smiled at them and took the stand • 6.) And with a shout he said, as he pointed at the casket • "A more evil man there ain't • But as wicked as he was, compared to his two brothers • Dear departed Winston Hays was a saint" • Dear departed Winston Hays was a saint" •• Then Parson Johnson preached... • 7.) There's a brand new steeple on Parson Johnson's church • 'Cause of seven thousand dollars that he gave • And while the two Hays brothers are suing one another • Parson Johnson thanked the deacons for his raise • Parson Johnson thanked the deacons for his raise •• Run from greed...