Tribute To Ronnie Van Zant

A poem written by Jody Willman for Judy and Johnny Van Zant




Although I never met him,
I never will forget him,
he looms so large in my mind.

I've heard all the great ones,
I miss all the late ones,
but another like him I won't find.

He may be long gone
but his music lives on
after a quarter of a century
has passed.

In only four years
he brought a nation to tears,
with this one simple question
he asked...

If I leave here tomorrow,
would you still remember me?
Deep sorrow of words so true.

I remember you barefoot on stage,
but never in a cage,
and this is my tribute to you.

What's your name, Mr. Breeze,
when I'm on my knees,
I thank God I'm a simple man.

I love what you did,
you Mississippi kid,
and I may be Curtis Loew's
greatest fan.

The Lynyrd Skynyrd name,
still carries the fame,
but Lord I miss Ronnie Van Zant.

I try real hard to fathom
what might have happened,
if he were still here,
but I can't.

We might as well face it,
we'll never replace it,
but Sweet Home Alabama lives on.

I remember Georgia peaches,
the lesson that smell teaches,
and I know why Tuesdays gone.

I laughed at gimme three steps,
with coming home I wept,
Mr. Banker gave me a chill.

Cheatin' woman made me mad,
made in the shade made me glad,
I guess they always will.

I've went to the moon,
with a needle and a spoon,
went searchin' like a
travelin' man.

You said I ain't the one,
the one in the sun,
those words are just more
than I can stand.

I'd give you back your bullets,
if I only could,
it's something I've thought about a lot.

There are things going on,
you wrote about it in a song,
so I know a little no doubt.

To every mother's son,
you'll always be the one,
that kept our southern pride in sight.

We still cry for the bad man,
all across the southland,
we all know you've got that right.

If poison whiskey takes my mind,
and it's finally my time,
I'll ask one favor from you.

I know you don't owe me,
you don't even know me,
but this is what I pray you will do.

Please meet me at the gate,
before it's too late,
and sing one verse of Freebird for me.

It hurts Johnny still,
and nobody else will,
and I know that's the way
it's supposed to be.

Now Judy has asked for some peace,
we can all do that at least,
not to forget cause we can't.

Judy I pray,
you'll accept this from me,
my tribute to Mr. Ronnie Van Zant
~Jody Willman

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Ronnie Van Zant
• Jody Willman
• Southern Rock

[SpawnofSkynyrd]

I love the tribute...although, Ronnie didn't write that line. The line "If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me" was asked to Allen Collins by his wife at the time.

But Ronnie's never forgotten. The single-handed greatest lyricist and vocalist in rock history? Nah. Not forgotten.

[markthelogger]

The anniversary of the day that a TRUE icon left this world and you hear nothing on T.V about it. A pedophile OD's and we hear that shit everyday for a year and a half. Those of us who know how truly great Skynyrd was will never let October 20, pass without reflecting back on how heartbreaking it was to lose Ronnie Van Zant. The Southern man will always relate to Skynyrd and will always be grateful that these guys showed the world what its like to be southern. Living Free.

[xyx80re]

[R]equiescat [I]n [P]acem

from Germany !!

[rebelman69x69]

THIS IS SUMTHIG I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR FOR A VERY LONG TIME! THANX GUYS!

[GeorgeStrait1986]

♫❤♫❤♫❤♫ Ronnie Van Zant ♫❤♫❤♫❤♫

[skynyrdfreak43]

This was awesome!!! While we remember Ronnie, lest we not also EVER forget about the other talented musicans, gone to way to soon, looming in our hearts and minds, filling us with pride as we claim the music for our own. Our lost treasures include: Ronnie, Allen, Billy, Leon, Steve, Cassie, Hughie, Ean, and Dean. We remember you all because you all touched us! Thank you for giving us the pleasure of listening to your awesome music for now....and always!!!

[HiFiman4u]

We will ALWAYS remember.

[troy76351]

GREAT JOB !!!!!!!!!!!!

[JodyWillman1]

Well said Mark and you're dead on!

[Paneuropax]

I just love the intro.

[loveybells77]

Today is the anniversary of that tragic day Oct. 20,1977. We lost a lot of talented people in that crash. Today we honor all of you that we lost on that fatefull day.

One of the greatest bands ever. R.I.P. FREEBIRD FOREVER...We will never forget you and the music you shared with the world.