The song was inspired by a visit to the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. I was able to take a tour, get on stage and see the old dressing rooms. This was before the Ryman was renovated.
Lyrics
When I walked through that front door
Like a hush fell on a crowd
The silence it was deafening
Like applause that was too loud
I never thought I'd see it
But a chance trip brought me there
Just a visit to the Ryman was a dream beyond compare
Ch:
You could hear Patsy and Lefty
All the Johnnies and the Hanks
Kinda makes a man sure wish that he
Could only get his chance
Ernest, Webb and Hawkshaw country way beyond compare
Long ago they left the Ryman
But their spirit still lives there
Long ago they left the Ryman
But their spirit still lives there
Well the seats were just like church pews
And the windows colored glass
And I knew right then the place within
Had dignity and class
"Spoken" Then I walked up on that opry stage
Was somethin' in the air
And I still cannot explain it
But I felt they all were there
Ch:
