When I found out my good friend, Boxcar Willie, had leukemia and his health was failing, I wrote this tribute song for him.

He came from the state of Texas, the son of a railroad man. He grew up through the hard times, working with his hands. Then one day he got a letter from our Uncle Sam. When our country called, he answered, and became an Air Force man. But he loved his country music, so he kept on keepin' on playin' that old guitar, singin' them old train songs. He could make that train whistle sound just like the Cannonball. They called him Boxcar Willie, the greatest 'hobo' of them all. Chorus: So here's to the man from Texas Long may he reign. We wrote a few songs together as he sang his way to fame. In his hat and red bandana and his striped overalls, I want to thank the man from Texas for a good ol' country song. Backstage at the Opry, late one Saturday night, Boxcar made a promise he'd keep the Cannonball alive. I know he'll keep that promise 'cause that's the kind of man he is. And I'm proud to say the old hobo, Boxcar Willie, he's my friend. (Repeat chorus) (Repeat chorus)