(Don Schlitz/Thom Schuyler)

There was a brand new stranger at the old bus station
He said Music City is my destination
He said The whole wide worldæ?¯ gonna sing my song

And you can take that to the bank

Iæ?¦ on a mission
Iæ?¦ on a mission
Iæ?¦ on a mission from Hank

He got a furnished room and a job at the market
He kept a little notebook in his back pocket
And every time youæ?? see him he was writing a song
And he would never leave one piece blank (heæ?? say)

Iæ?¦ on a mission
Iæ?¦ on a mission
Iæ?¦ on a mission from Hank

He sang when no one would listen
So he sang until they hung on every word

Ah then one day his phone started ringing
They said we want you and the songs youæ?³e been singing
And the kid said fine, just give me some time
To talk to my patron saint (you see)

Iæ?¦ on a mission
Iæ?¦ on a mission
Iæ?¦ on a mission from Hank

(Yes sir,) That night as he laid in the darkness
Ol?Luke the drifter came to him and said

Oh now hereæ?¯ your chance boy go on and take it
You sing from the heart and youæ?®e gonna make it
But if anybody tries to change you
Into something that you ain� (you tell 榹m)

Iæ?¦ on a mission
Iæ?¦ on a mission
Iæ?¦ on a mission from Hank

Iæ?¦ on a mission
Iæ?¦ on a mission
Iæ?¦ on a mission from Hank