Elvis - A Lighted Candle

[Lighthouseseeker]

Precious memories, how they linger.
God sent this world a baby boy
Who was born into poverty
And as a boy he wondered
What would be his destiny?
His life would be busy and things happened
that even he couldn't believe.
He had so much to give and yet very little to receive.
He started out with a song and a wiggle.
Some people couldn't understand
But you and I now know it was all in God's plan.
No sooner had he started when he lost his most precious prize.
Tragedy struck this young man, his mother died.
By this time he had the Colonel, who was to guide his every step
And things begin to happen that neither one
Could seem to help.
He came home from the Army and we saw him on TV and
Because of that wiggle they wouldn't even show his knees.
His career in the movies took him from us for awhile
Even though he didn't like it, he still gave the world a smile.
He came back to us in person.
This is what he really enjoyed
And when he felt, he didn't please us
With himself he was annoyed
We demanded, not understanding
That he gave to us his all
He tried to do what we wanted
For the big and the small.
The demands for his records, to have a glimpse or touch his hand
Bit by bit it took it's toll.
For even he was just a man.
God in all His wisdom, even though he loved him so,
Knew what was best
It was time for him to go.

Precious father, loving mother,
The King is gone, is what they said.
August 16th, 1977, my friend ELVIS is dead.
I couldn't believe it, how could this be, why GOD?
Why take Elvis, why not me?
I'll never forget the funeral that day
What would we sing and what would we say?
I chose the songs and those that would sing
I called Rex Humbard, oh yeah
He's say the right things.
Years have now passed and lies have been told.
How could these people be so bold!
Well maybe it's over, maybe it's through
Surely there's nothing anyone else could say or do.
There's one last thing, one last attempt
To tear down the King.
One thing you forgot, when you wrote your book,
The casket could have been closed
Then no one could look
I was there, I know, I felt his hand
And I know the difference between a hunk of wax and that of a man.
Why if he had wanted to pull a hoax, likes been implied, he was smart enough to do it,
But Elvis would not lie.
Well, this book too, will gather it's dust, and the place that printed it
Will also rust. But one thing that nobody will ever END,
And that's memories of a great man, a great humanitarian
And the world's greatest entertainer, ELVIS, my friend.

Precious memories, how they linger, how they ever flown my soul.
In the stillness of the midnight, precious secret seems unfold.

[MaryInTheMorning]

This is so beautiful!! You can tell this came straight from his heart and soul! The endearing and soul touched words for a friend he truly cherished made my heart smile yet sad at the same time. Do you know when this was written? Thank you so much for sharing this with us!!

[Raina]

What a beautiful, touching poem! And I don't think it could have been if it hadn't came from his heart...

[Blue Moon]

Oh yes, very lovely. For anyone who would like to hear JD Sumner & the Stamps speak/sing the above words, click on the below link:

http://mjbreck.com/elvishasleftthebuilding05.html

It is so beautifully done.

[Lighthouseseeker]

thank you Laurie I was going to post the link but I forgot..lol

[Barbara Lea]

WHO WOULD HAVE EVER BELIEVED THAT THE VERY SAME MAN JD SUMNER, THAT ELVIS WOULD TRY EVERYTHING HE COULD TO HEAR SING IN MEMPHIS WHEN HE WAS YOUNG WOULD BE ELVIS'OWN BASS SINGER, FREIND, AND A BROTHER. JUST LIKE JD SAID EVEN THOUGH IT IS STILL SO HARD FOR US TO NOT HAVE ELVIS HERE WITH US, HE IS STILL AROUND US. WE CAN STILL TALK TO HIM AND FEL HIM WITH US EVEN MORE NOW, SINCE HE DOESN'T HAVE THE CHAINS HE HAD AROUND HIM IN LIFE. THANK YOU BLUE MOON, SO SAD TO HEAR THIS BUT THEN AGAIN SO HAPPY THAT ELVIS IS WITH HIS FAMILY AGAIN AND NOT IN PAIN, OR HAVE ANY WORRIES ANYMORE. FairyTale!

[Amanda Viola]

Thank you Zey and Laurie.

It has been beautiful and touching to read and to hear it. So much Love is in there. Only one that is of a loving nature, can create such resonance in others. Elvis had so much LOVE inside that it is still resounding in the hearts of millions.

Today is a perfect day to celebrate it.

[Wanda June Hill]

It is very touching and beautifully said. I liked especially the line, Elvis would not lie. And that is what I found to be so true...he wouldn't lie ever to protect himself-he didn't try to hide or sneak around to 'cheat' on his wife-he told her himself-this after they were already at odds over certain events-and if he didn't tell his "24-7" guys what the truth of the matter was-it was because he didn't want them to know-and he DID not want the press to know because it made it look awful for his wife and for his little girl and also for the woman who was with him at the time...better the 24-7 ers thought he was cheating, that would keep them more quiet than if they knew it all. Elvis was a secret keeper when it counted-if it could hurt other people-and you know the press would have had a field day with the whole thing and it would have hurt many people he didn't want to hurt. So he played the role for the guys and played another for the media but he played fair with his personal life and family. He couldn't stop the whispering and gossip, but he sure didn't flaunt anything in the open. true blue all the way. J D hit it right on the money-Elvis wouldn't lie. wjh

[Sarena]

Wanda, how good you explained again how Elvis stood for truth.
To be truthful does not mean you have to speak truth to hurt others, but to know when it is time to keep silent for the sake of Love.

Reading the words of J.D. I was reminded of the incidence when Elvis was playing a (bad ...in my opinion)) joke in his Penthouse Suite in Las Vegas. Some guy was storming in and pretending to want to shoot Elvis. J.D. in a quick reaction threw his big body over Elvis to save his life and give his own life for his friend.....(the scene ended in everybody cracking up laughing). But mind you,
it was not the bodyguards that protected Elvis, but his bass singer and true friend.
This incidence made a deep impression on Elvis

[Amanda Viola]

To be truthful does not mean you have to speak truth to hurt others, but to know when it is time to keep silent for the sake of Love.

This is a deep thought, Christine.

I agree with you. Truth doesn't have to be a banner used like a spear to battle "against", but to gather around.

[Lighthouseseeker]

yes Christine I always thought JD was the one,maybe the only one who could have willingly die for Elvis..I love this huge hearted sweet man, sure he is with our boy now..God bless them both..

[Amanda Viola]

It is so moving the gesture of J.D. protecting Elvis! He was a father figure for Elvis and acted like one.

It is difficult to say, being so far off the time and space when all this happened. Yet, I have the impression Charlie Hodge adored Elvis and would do whatever to protect him.

About the (bad) joke, Christine, I would not bet it was really a joke or a test.

[Barbara Lea]

Well this just goes to shwo who really and truly Loved Elvis as a Brother and a Friend, not just Faces in the Spot Light and their HAND OUT! FairyTale!

[Rainbow Light]

Bringing back around for anyone who may have missed reading this thread earlier.

[Lindsaygirl]

Beauiful poem, elvis and and JD really shared a special friendship.