Story Behind The Song

This is the story of a homeless man I got to know while performing at Myrtle Beach, SC. This man literally had pnemonia the night we met him. A few days later I learned his story. He was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer 2 months earlier. So his family would not have to deal with the burden his last months would bring, he sold everything he had and started walking from Texas to Myrtle Beach. He never came across as pity me or help me if you can. He actually said, as one of the lines in the song says, friend that's just the way it goes. I started trying to write down his story and with his permission penned the song Walking Down This Old Lonesome Road, a tribute to William Campbell, known to all around the beach area as Boardwalk Bill.

Song Description

A song that is literally the story, as told by the man Bill Campbell, about the last days of his life, spent walking across the United States making friends along the way. Bill was one of the most intelligent men I've ever known and his story and his journey touched me so much. The words of this song come from the many days of him telling me the story of his walk and journey. After being diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer he sold everything he owned, including his home, truck and furniture and started walking... not knowiing where he'd end up. As he said, even if I chose a destination, my illness may not allow me to reach it so getting to lie down and sleep and wake again tomorrow was always my goal. Bill taught me to live each day, never assuming tomorrow is garaunteed and making the most of what is given to you today. It has taken nearly a year since he left us for me to be able to listen to this song and not stop after just one verse. His story and his journey taught me and others the meaning of living each day as if it were your last.

Lyrics

Chorus: Walking on down this road, I'm walking on down this road
Where it leads, I may never know, So I'm walking on down this road

Doctors gave me sad sad news All my doctors gave me sad sad news My time has come, nothing they can do Now that's some sad, sad news

That's just the way it goes Friend, that's just the way it goes I'll turn in my keys, walk alone down this road That's just the way it goes

Repeat Chorus

I'm not a young man, but I sure ain't old I'm not a young man, but I sure ain't old I got a lifetime to live out on this road I'm not a young man, but I sure ain't old

Walk during the day and sleep at night Yeah I walk during the day and sleep at night Wake up wet from rain, sometimes from crying Walk during the day and sleep at night

No destination in mind, I got no destination in mind Step by step, I'm making good time, No destination in mind

Down to my last pair of boots, Yeah I'm down to my last pair of boots My feet sure hurt and my heart does too, Down to my last pair of boots

Guess I'll just lay on down Guess I'll just lay on down The answers I'm searching for just can't be found Guess I'll just lay on down

Nobody shares my name All alone, nobody shares my name I'll leave this ole world, alone just like I came Cause nobody shares my name

Where should I walk to die
Tell me where should I walk to die
Any place but here and please God not tonight
Where should I walk to die