Johnny Paycheck

You may not recognize the name of Johnny Paycheck, but you have probably heard some of his songs.  He was the first artist to sing “Take This Job and Shove It.”  He also played the song “Don’t Take Her, She’s All I Got,” which Tracy Byrd covered in 1996.  In 1997 Mr. Paycheck asserted that his music had always been about life.  Terri Clark commented that she believed he was a “lifeline for real people who worked real jobs and who had to deal with life’s hardships.”  Paycheck was certainly no stranger to them.

Paycheck was born in 1938.  He began building his career in the 1960s, after spending two years in prison during the fifties for slugging a naval officer.  He had a reputation for drinking and using drugs, and this lifestyle reached its climax in 1985 when he shot a man in the head in a barroom brawl.  He went to prison for this in 1989, and was released in 1991.  He began giving anti-drug lectures and soon joined the Grand Ole Opry cast in 1997.  His life ended on February 19, 2003 at the age of 64, after being bedridden due to a lengthy battle with emphysema.

Not every aspect of his life was tragic. He was married to the same woman for over 30 years, and they had one son.

At this point you might be wondering why I would take the time to write about such a musician as Johnny Paycheck.  It is partially due to the fact that on the day he died, I was stuck in traffic on the way to my hermeneutics class at the seminary and just happened to hear his song “The Outlaws Prayer” on a local Blues station.  The song was very moving, and it was written about an experience that took place near my home in the Fort Worth area.  The lyrics of this song have much to say to the body of Christ.  I fear that it “Christians” like the ones mentioned in this song are at least partially responsible for Paycheck’s eternal destination.  Let this be a reminder to us all of how not to live.

“The Outlaws Prayer” Written By Billy Sherrill and Glenn Sutton (© Peer Music/ Sherrill Music) From Paycheck’s album “Armed and Crazy,” © 1979, Epic.

You know, I worked the Big Packet show in Fort Worth, Saturday night,
We had all day Sunday to rest and relax, before I caught another flight.
So I decided to walk down town an' get myself a little fresh air.
Before long, I found myself in front of a big church on the corner of the square.

Boy, I could hear that singin' way out in the street, sure was a beautiful sound.
So I just walked up the steps an' opened the door an' started to go inside an' sit down.
But before I could, a young man walked over to me an said: "Excuse me, Sir,
"But I can't let you in with that big black hat, those jeans, that beard an' long hair.

So I just left, went back outside, sat down on that kerbing, an I thought to myself:
That's the house of the Lord. That guy's got the hell of a nerve.
Tellin' me I can't worship anywhere I please.
So right there, in front of that Church, I just knelt down on my knees.

I said: "Lord, I know I don't look like much, but I didn't think you'd mind.
"I just wanted to be with your people, Lord: it's been a long time.
"A while ago, a saw a wino over there in the alley, all bent over in tears,
"An' I thought how one stained glass window, from this Church, would feed his family for years."

"Then there's those fine cars parked outside: too many for me to count.
"Made me think how people walked for days to hear your sermon on the mount.
"Then there's those fine ladies in the choir, Lord, singin' like they really love it.
"Hell, last night, they were dancin' on the front row of my show: drinkin' beer, screamin: 'Sing Shove It.'

"You know, even John the Baptist wouldn't be welcome in this place,
"With his coat made of Camel hair an' sandals on his feet an' a long beard on his face.
"You know, Lord, when you come back to get your children, an' take 'em beyond the clouds,
"To live forever in Heaven with you: well, I'd sure hate to be in this crowd.

"You know, Lord, I'm not perfect; some even call me no count.
"But I'll tell you: I believe a man is judged by what's in his heart, not what's in his bank account.
"So if this is what religion is: a big car, a suit an' a tie,
"Then I might as well forget it Lord, 'cause I can't qualify.

"Oh, by the way, Lord, right before they kicked me out, didn't I see a picture of you?
"With sandals an' a beard. Believe you had long hair too."
"Well, this is Paycheck, signing off.
"I'll be seein' you Lord, I hope."

Isn’t it interesting that we can depict Christ in one way, and then condemn someone who is better dressed than our Lord?  Talk about a clear display of fallen human nature at work.  We must remember that God is concerned with the status of our hearts, not the clothes we wear, the cars we drive, or the length of our hair.  We should not be quick to forget that people are created in God’s image, and it is not our place to judge them based on outward appearance.  Instead, we are to welcome them into our fellowship, embrace them with love, and show them by our actions the love and care that Jesus Christ has for them as individuals.