In the tiny town of Hartwell
On Missouri Highway Seven
Is a poor boy's dream for his old machine
When his motor parts start given

Stretchin' both sides of the highway
In rows and sometimes piles
Are wrecked cars, trucks and other junk
Amassed by Elton Biles

A laid back country business man
Both serious and funny
His hand was out to shake your hand
Before he'd take your money

His freckles matched his burred red hair
Now there are lots of different styles
But you know you've met the Real McCoy
When you met ol' Elton Biles

{ Chorus }

He was a good and simple man
With a very good and simple plan
If it shines that's good, we all can see
But if it doesn't shine then come see me

He lived in a run down trailer home
In the middle of this auto mall
If he ever sold the junk he owned
He could have bought the Taj Mahal

If you asked there was no Sunday guest
But if the Sabbath found your car broke down
You could find him somewhere in the midst
Of the blues and the reds and the greens and the browns

With his head stuck under some old hood
You could hear him swear from fifty feet
But he'd stop at once when you walked up
To go and find you what you need.

Well, today I went to say goodbye
To a man I'd known 'bout half my life
I shed some tears, but mostly smiles
Amassed of course by Elton Biles

As I left the grave and I drove away
I allowed myself just one more grin
I could picture Elton at the Pearly gates
With ol' Saint Peter lookin' down at him

He'd say, "Now Elton you shine that's good we see,
But none the less, you still need Thee."
Then the gates would open and He'd browse around
In the blues and the reds and the greens and the browns.

{ Chorus )

He was a good and simple man
With a very good and simple plan
If it shines that's good, we all can see
But if it doesn't shine then come see me

2006 William C. Stephens (All rights reserved)