DeFord Bailey's my name, you know
Folks heard me on the radio
Long, long time ago – in my prime
"Harmonica Wizard", that's what they called me
A member of the Grand Ole Opry –
'Though I've come a hard way
Everyday's been Sunday with me
I was like a microphone – way I'd pick up sounds
An' make 'em my own –
In Davidson County – growin' up on the farm
I could sound like a train whistlin' down the track
Make it sound so real, make you jump back
'Though I've come a hard way
Everyday's been Sunday with me
I've been gone since '82
Still, I thought I'd send this song to you
From the other side – you know it's not that far away
People came from miles around
Just to hear me blow my harp when I hit their town
History books tell only half the story
Leavin' out half of the people's glory
So, I reckon it's time to share some of mine
I was a star of that Grand Ole Opry
I didn't look like the rest, but that didn't stop me
'Though I've come a hard way
Everyday's been Sunday with me
I played with Roy Acuff an' all the rest
Bill Monroe claimed I was the best
Blues harmonica-player of any man
I never grew tall, but I stood proud
Proud as those times allowed
'Though I've come a hard way
Everyday's been Sunday with me
I liked Uncle Dave Macon right from the start
A good banjo man with a bog ol' heart
Had a real funny side – knew how to work a crowd
Now the Delmore Brothers treated me like kin
On the road we stuck together through thick an' thin
'Though I've come a hard way
Everyday's been Sunday with me
On the radio people can't see your face
So, I guess plenty people never knew my race
I reckon that fact worked in my favour
You see, a harp's not black an' a harp's not white
It just makes good music if you play it right
'Though I've come a hard way
Everyday's been Sunday with me
One day they might elect me to the Hall Of Fame
If they doe or if they don't, it's all the same
'Though I've come a hard way
Everyday's been Sunday with me