Revelation

Waylon Jennings · Six Strings Away [Bear Family] [1999]

(Bobby Braddock)



Somewhere in Vietnam a 19-year-old soldier

Walked out of a barroom

And he said, I must be seeing things

That bourbon hit me like a baseball bat

In Bellfast Ireland a little lady

Dropped her shovel in her garden

She raced across the yard

And ask her neighbor Mrs Clancy, what was that.



In Memphis Tennessee a teacher

Raised the window, closest the river

And the children in her classroom swore

They'd heard a choir singing down the street

In Washington DC

A private secretary's lips began to quiver

And the President just put aside his papers

And rose quickly to his feet.



I lay in a cheap motel in the arms

Of someone else's woman

When a loud explosion rocked the room

And turned the morning into night

I jumped out of bed and ran into the street

With hardly any clothes on

As the sky lit up my heart stood still

And I could feel my face was turnin' white.



All at once the clouds rolled back

And there stood Jesus Christ in all his glory

And I realized the saddest eyes

I'd ever seen were lookin' straight at me

I guess I was awakened by

The penetrating sounds of my own screamin'

And it didn't take me long to stumble

Out of bed and fall down on my knees.



As tears rolled down my face I cried

Dear God, I'm thankful I was only dreamin'

And if I never go to hell, Lord

It'll be because you scared it out of me...

Revelation - Waylon Jennings

Waylon Jennings' "Revelation" stands as a defining track within the outlaw country movement, capturing the raw emotional core of his solo career. Recorded for the album *Six Strings Away*, this song exemplifies Jennings' signature blend of twangy vocals and rhythmic guitar work that challenged the polished Nashville sound of the era. The recording reflects his commitment to authenticity and his role as a mentor to a new generation of country musicians who embraced a grittier, more independent aesthetic. As a staple of his discography, the song remains a powerful testament to the personal struggles and resilience often explored in his music, resonating deeply with fans of traditional country and its modern evolution.