Story Behind The Song
My uncle Einar "Rick" Johnson had a massive heart attack and passed away very unexpectedly on May 28, 1999. It struck me quite hard, and the words to "Down the Road" just started coming to me. I wrote it in about 1 1/2 days, and sang it "unannounced" at the funeral. Of all of my songs, this is one that seems to garner most of the attention, and is a personal "favorite" of many people. I guess this is because the words are so true, and are so universally relevant to us all. We all will continue to deal with death throughout our lives, and I feel that this song is a very healthy and positive way to cope with the pain of losing loved ones. I have played "Down The Road" at many funerals, and it has also been used by a professional videographer in his pictorial/slideshow DVD's for family services and funerals. On a different note, the song was written in a much slower, relaxed 2/4 feel, which is how I still typically play it in live settings. It wasn't until Jim Ed and I started plotting songs out for the album that we decided to speed it up into more of a straight country 4/4 style (as we felt there were enough slower songs, and we needed another solid mid-tempo tune). I was instantly pleased with how it sounded after we modified it, which is how you hear it on the album.
| Song Length |
3:07 |
Genre |
Country - Bluegrass, Folk - Bluegrass |
| Tempo |
Medium Slow (91 - 110) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Peaceful, Gracious |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
It seems to happen more and more these days
Friends move on, and then they move away
Though I know it's just a part of life
The words "goodbye" just never come out right
As they move so many miles away
These simple words are all I need to say
I'll see you down the road
When we'll laugh and smile and talk of days of old
It's hard to say goodbye, but in my heart I know
That I'll see you down the road
And now we've come together in this place
To mourn a loss and sing "Amazing Grace"
God has called another to His side
And the words "goodbye" just will not come out right
Now you've gone so far, far away
But these same words are all I need to say
I'll see you down the road
When we'll laugh and smile and talk of days of old
It's hard to say goodbye, but in my heart I know
That I'll see you down the road
Yes, it hurts to say goodbye, but through the Lord I know
That I'll see you down the road
Yes, I'll see you down the road