Skynyrd Tribute by Fanzant

There are some singers who are musical genius,
Musicians there are who can change the world with
their instruments,
Singers who can use their words to make a stand,
or to make people think about right or wrong in this
land.

Few bands have any of these things to their merit,
they may play some covers to another bands credit.
When it comes down to the meat of their song,
the music is played but the words are all wrong.

There are "pop" singers who look like a freak,
and their musical talent is really quite weak.
Some country "girl" bands ashamed of where they
are from.
But it's okay with us if they want to change their home.

The band that we love was never that way,
Their lead singer, Ronnie, knew just what to say,
Piano, bass, drums and 3 guitars,
they started out playing in honky tonk bars.

They had a leader who was ready, willing and able,
He brought out their talent, they laid it all on his table.
They worked in the Hell House 'cause he had a plan,
To be known as the nation's greatest rock and roll band.

They added the Honkettes, three beautiful voices,
Who sang like an angel, who in Heaven rejoices.
They brought their music to thousands of fans.
And took their southern sound to faraway lands.

They had no idea what they would go through,
From Torture Tour to Street Survivors, just to name two.
Just when they had the world by the tail,
Nothing bad could happen, they could not fail.

The tragedy of a plane crash would take infinite tolls,
Ronnie, Steve, Cassie and Dean, Freebirds, right down to their souls,
They all are missed by fans like me and you,
It was their families suffering that left us all blue.

More tragedy followed as the years rolled
Car crashes and deaths began to take hold.
We didn't know the fate of "our" band.
Even though we knew it was the best in this land.

Allen Collins, was a wildman with his guitar,
His life tragically altered when he crashed his car.
We missed his great energy up on the stage.
Then the band had to turn over a brand new page.

In years to come major changes to the band we all knew,
Brought different musicians into our view,
They came and went for quite some time.
But then came a line-up that was really sublime.

We may have thought that tragedy was gone,
But that's when the Lord called the "Mad Hatter" home.
Then Gary had problems down deep in his heart,
Some had fears that the band would fall apart.

Gary and Billy have been together the longest,
That's one thing that keeps this line-up the strongest.
They play better music than they have in many years,
"Freebird" still brings the whole audience to tears.

Vicious Cycle has been the theme of the band
for many a year, but they stuck to their plan.
Lynyrd Skynyrd is the band we all love.
Past, present, future...and of course those up above.

We hope all the "Freebirds" can plainly see,
What an inspiration the band has come to be.
Now we are blessed to have Johnny, Rickey, Hughie,
Michael and Ean,
And Carol and Dale are like angels singin'.

We are happy that Johnny is singing the songs.
Brother Ronnie would be proud, his band is so strong.
We follow Skynyrd where ever they go,
Counting down the days until the very next show!

So from the fans to the best band around,
We await your arrival in our rockin' little town!!!!!
By Fanzant