Got the news this morning Knew it'd be a tough day Some are so much larger than life You can't believe they could pass away When it comes to country music he's the world  And it wouldn't be all it is without Merle  He won't ever be gone His songs live on A fugitive and a branded man Mama tried to understand Left us a lifetime of songs And he won't ever be gone We were friends right from the start We shared some high times I would sing some songs he wrote He would sing a few of mine The music made us brothers till the end And not a day goes by that I don't miss him He won't ever be gone His songs live on Ramblin' fever and the way I am Blue collar blues for the working man We'll be singing him back home from now on He won't ever be gone  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | He won't ever be gone His songs live on A fugitive and a branded man Mama tried to understand Left us a lifetime of songs And he won't ever be gone We'll be singing him back home from now on He won't ever be gone