[00:00:00] The Christmas Guest - Johnny Cash [00:00:02] Written by:B. Walker/Grandpa Jones [00:00:11] It happened one day at December's end [00:00:13] Some neighbors called on an old time friend [00:00:17] And they found his shop so meager and lean [00:00:19] Made gay with thousand bows of green [00:00:22] And old Conrad was sitting with face a shine [00:00:26] When he suddenly stopped [00:00:27] As he stitched a twine [00:00:28] And he said [00:00:30] My friends at dawn today [00:00:31] When the cock was crowing the night away [00:00:34] The Lord appeared in a dream to me and he said [00:00:38] I'm coming your guest to be [00:00:40] So I've been busy with feet astir [00:00:43] Strewing my shop with branches of fern [00:00:45] The table is spread and the kettle is shined [00:00:48] And over the rafters the holly is twined [00:00:51] And now I'll wait for my Lord to appear [00:00:54] And listen closely so I will hear [00:00:57] His step as he nears my humble place [00:01:00] And I'll open the door [00:01:02] And I look on his face [00:01:05] Then his friends went home [00:01:06] And left Conrad alone [00:01:08] For this was the happiest day he had known [00:01:11] For long since his family had passed away [00:01:15] And Conrad had spent many a sad Christmas day [00:01:19] But he knew with the Lord as his Christmas guest [00:01:22] This Christmas would be the dearest and best [00:01:25] So he listened [00:01:26] With only joy in his heart [00:01:29] And with every sound [00:01:30] He would rise with a start [00:01:32] And look for the Lord to be at his door [00:01:34] Like the vision [00:01:35] He had had a few hours before [00:01:38] So he ran to the window after hearing a sound [00:01:41] But all he could see on the snow covered ground [00:01:43] Was a shabby beggar [00:01:45] Whose shoes were torn [00:01:47] And all his clothes were ragged and worn ho ho ho [00:01:50] But old Conrad was touched [00:01:52] And he went to the door and he said [00:01:54] Your feet must be cold and sore ho ho [00:01:57] I have some shoes in my shop for you [00:02:00] And I have a coat [00:02:01] To keep you warmer too [00:02:04] So with grateful heart the man went away [00:02:07] But Conrad noticed the time of day and wondered [00:02:09] What made the dear Lord so late [00:02:12] And how much longer he'd have to wait [00:02:14] Then he heard another knock [00:02:16] And he ran to the door [00:02:17] But it was only a stranger once more [00:02:20] A bent old lady with a shawl of black [00:02:23] And a bundle of kindling piled on her back [00:02:27] But she asked only for a place to rest [00:02:31] A place that was reserved for Conrad's great guest [00:02:35] But her voice seemed to plead don't send me away [00:02:38] Let me rest for awhile ho ho [00:02:41] This Christmas day ho ho ho ho [00:02:44] So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup [00:02:47] And told her to sit at the table and sup [00:02:50] And after she had left he was filled with dismay [00:02:53] For he saw that the hours were slipping away [00:02:55] And the Lord had not come as he said he would [00:02:59] And Conrad felt sure he had misunderstood [00:03:03] When out of the stillness he heard a cry [00:03:06] Please help me and [00:03:07] Tell me where am I [00:03:09] So again he opened his friendly door [00:03:11] And stood disappointed as twice before [00:03:14] It was only a child who'd wandered away [00:03:17] And was lost from her family on Christmas day [00:03:20] Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad [00:03:24] But he knew [00:03:24] He could make this little girl glad [00:03:26] So he called her in and he wiped her tears [00:03:29] And quieted all her childish fears [00:03:32] Then he led her back to her home once more [00:03:34] But as he entered his own darkened door [00:03:37] He knew that the Lord was not coming today [00:03:41] For the hours of Christmas had all passed away ho ho [00:03:44] So he went to his room and knelt down to pray [00:03:47] And he said [00:03:48] Lord why did you delay [00:03:50] What kept you from coming to call on me [00:03:53] I wanted so much your face to see