After The Thunder
An echo fades of sounds once heard
By thousands brought together for
His ringing voice, a soul that stirred
The faithful to a mighty roar
For twenty years upon the stage
The passion deep within his soul
Brought forth the anger and the rage
His vision locked upon one goal
The promises of rock and roll
Could break the chains upon his life
Guitar in hand, he vowed he would
Be free from pain and inner strife
He shook the rafters in the halls
And brought the faithful to their feet
His river coursed through mighty walls
Across this land, down every street
With flag unfurled he took the word
Across the seas to hungry youth
Who raised their hands when e're they heard
His cries for faith and hope and truth
Today he stands with inner peace
A man content with home and health
Upon his brow a jagged crease
A symbol of success and wealth
The thunder of his younger days
Has passed, and now his words reveal
A calmer soul in many ways
Fulfilled with satisfactions real
His arms upraised against the light
He stands alone, his eyes look toward
The ground below, A bird in flight
Still searching for his true reward
His mission done, he finds retreat
With children and a loving wife
His body tired from the heat
The price he pays for touring life
But deep within, the longings stir
The music runs within him still
His passions for the times that were
Are stronger than his iron will
And all of us who know the man
Will come together when he cries
The message we all understand
The thunder in us never dies