"[ man laughing ] [ clattering ] [ man #1 ] here, give me the bottle." "[ man #2 ] go to hell." "goddamn ya !" "get your own bottle !" "give me the bottle !" "give it to me !" "I'll give you nothin'." "[ laughs ]" "give me the bottle." "I'm givin' you nothin'." "[ clattering ] give it." "give me the bottle !" "I'll give you nothin'." "give me the bottle !" "[ yelling ] give me the bottle !" "give me the bo-- [ grunts ]" "[ country ] see that cloud there In the sky slowly drifting by [ vehicle approaching ] well, that's the way she's a-driftin' from me" "[ continues ] [ woman ] good morning." "hi." "[ chattering ]" "I know there's someone else [ chattering continues ] but, oh, it hurts" "so much to face reality" "a little child boy or girl will dream at night" "In their own dream world [ continues ] forty cents short of makin' it." "you got forty cents In your purse ?" "[ woman ] let's see, now." "here ya are." "thank you." "well, I'm no child but times it's true" "[ continues ] [ engine starts ] because it hurts so much to face reality your friend said to tell ya he had to move on." "how long will I have been here ?" "[ continues, Indistinct ] two days." "how far Is it to the nearest town ?" "four miles." "with me it's reality fella I was with pay for the room before he left ?" "no." "will take my place" "I'll go on lovin' you through eternity but, oh, it hurts so much to face reality" "[ gulps, sighs ]" "[ wind blowing ]" "[ man ] lady ?" "I'm broke." "but I'll be glad to work out what I owe ya." "[ woman ] all right, but there's no drinkin' while you're workin' here." "yes, ma'am." "are ya hungry ?" "well, I, I could eat somethin', yeah." "[ radio: country ] everything was said and done" "sure Is a pretty day, Isn't it, sonny ?" "yes, ma'am." "hmm." "Wish I had time to stay out here In the yard and enjoy it a little bit." "why don't you ?" "oh, I can't, honey." "I've got a million things to do today." "I'll help ya." "oh, I know you will." "[ birds chittering ]" "yes ?" "If you still need help the next couple of days, I'd like to work on." "all right." "I can give you your room and your meals and two dollars an hour." "thank you." "[ radio ] find out what ya got to say [ engine starting ]" "[ man over radio, Indistinct ]" "we first got this letter from a very nice lady and her husband... who moved here to texas, and they like it." "and they liked the program." "and they said the only thing they didn't" "mister, what's your name ?" "mac." "don't throw stones at me, son." "how was school ?" "all right." "you learn anything ?" "[ scoffs ] not much." "what are you doin' down here ?" "thinking." "about what ?" "things." "good things or bad things ?" "some of both." "you never knew my daddy, did ya ?" "I never did." "think you would have liked him If you'd known him ?" "sure." "What do you think ?" "I guess." "[ mac singing, Indistinct ]" "I'll learn to love again somehow" "I'll even learn to play the fool again no, I'll never even learn to say good-bye" "to the woman that I've known for so long" "[ organ ]" "[ choir ] we have heard the joyful sound jesus saves, jesus saves spread the tidings all around jesus saves, jesus saves bear the news to every land climb the steeps and cross the waves onward 'tis our lord's command" "jesus saves, jesus saves sing, ye Islands of the sea echo back, ye ocean caves earth shall keep her jubilee jesus saves, jesus saves shout salvation full and free highest hills and deepest caves" "this our song of victory jesus saves, jesus saves" "good to see you, sir." "very nice." "see you at the midweek service." "well, hi, sonny." "how are you doin' ?" "hi." "hi, reverend." "I want you to meet mac sledge." "he works for me down at the motel." "how are you, sir ?" "how do you do, mr." "Sledge ?" "sonny tells me he wants to be baptized." "I know that makes you proud, rosa lee." "yes, it does." "you were baptized In this church, weren't you ?" "yes, sir, I was." "and where were you baptized, mr." "Sledge ?" " I haven't been baptized." " [ laughs ]" " well, we'll have to work on you then." " yes, sir." "so long, sonny." "see you later." "[ tv ]" "turn off the tv, sonny, and get to bed." "you got school tomorrow." "can I talk with you all a little bit first ?" "no, sir." "good night." "good night." "good night." "[ laughs ] good little fella." "yeah." "He's growin' up so fast, he'll be gone before I even know it." "you have any other family ?" "uh, no." "I was the only kid my mom and daddy had-- had me kind of late In life." "my daddy's been dead-- oh, he died two years after my husband was killed, and mama died a year and a half ago last spring." "my mama and daddy are dead too." "but I have a brother out In california someplace." "we..." "Lost track of each other." "I have a daughter." "you do ?" "yeah, she's seven or eight years older than your boy." "well, where Is she ?" "with her mama." "Me and her mama are divorced." "we didn't get along too well." "I reckon I-- would you all stop talkin' ?" "I can't get to sleep." "[ laughing ] [ cawing ]" "I haven't had a drink In two months." "I think that drinking's behind." "do you ?" "I'm glad." "I don't think it gets ya anywhere." "you ever thought about marrying' again ?" "yeah." "I have." "have you ?" "I thought about it lately." "I guess it's no secret how I feel about ya." "a blind man could see that." "would you think about marrying' me ?" "yeah." "I will." "[ chattering ]" "hey !" "your dad's dead." "I know he's dead." "he got killed In some dumb war." " I know that." "he got killed In vietnam." " what was his name ?" "carl herbert wadsworth." "I was named after him." "I'm carl herbert wadsworth, jr." "well, how come everybody calls you sonny ?" "I don't know." "they just do." "that man your mama's married to now ain't your daddy." "I know that, dummy." "I know what he Is." "he's my stepdaddy." "Is he still a drunk ?" "[ shouting ] [ vehicle approaching ]" "hi." "How was school ?" "okay." "did my daddy go to the same school I go to ?" "yes." "do I look like my daddy ?" "comin' with us, mac ?" "you go on." "I'll wait here." "here it Is." "I couldn't put down the day he died because the army didn't know." "was there a big crowd at his funeral ?" "yeah, there was." "did I go ?" "no." "why not ?" "'cause you were too little." "did people cry at the funeral ?" "yes, they did." "did you ?" "yes, I did." "[ mac ] morning." "[ car door closes ] wanna fill it up ?" "mr." "Sledge." "yes, sir." "are you mac sledge, the singer ?" "I mean" "I was a singer, I mean." "I mean, I am mac sledge." "you were married to dixie scott, weren't ya ?" "I got nothin' to say about that." "she never married again, did she ?" "are you remarried ?" "Is that your boy ?" "that's not your boy, Is it ?" "mr." "Sledge, it took me quite a while to track you down." "I'd really appreciate an Interview." "I got nothin' to say to anybody." "well, are you doin' any singing anymore ?" "uh, writin' any songs these days ?" "somebody said that, uh-- I heard your new wife Is singing at the baptist church." "[ radio ] say, I guess your daughter by your first wife... has gotta be goin' on 18 by now, huh ?" "hey, I'm gonna do a story, mr." "Sledge." "you ought to talk to me to make sure I get it right." "you got two minutes ?" "Won't ya sit down and talk to me ?" "no, sir." "Sonny." "[ man on radio ] k.o.k.e. fm and am In austin, texas." "people 'round here know who you are ?" "your ex-wife Is singing' over In austin In the next couple of nights." "Did you know that ?" "you gonna go over and see her ?" "maybe your daughter'll be along." "maybe she'll come over here and see you." "does she know where ya are ?" "well, dixie told me a lot about you." "don't you wanna tell me a few things about her ?" "she said alcohol-- alcohol Is what licked ya." "you still drink ?" "[ engine starting ]" "they say you were a rich man once." "who said ?" "kids at school said they had it In the paper." "uh, I don't know If I was what you call rich, but I had a few dollars." "how'd you get it ?" "writing' songs." "and how do you get money for that ?" "hell, If people are crazy enough to pay for it, they do it." " what happened to your money ?" " I lost it." "how ?" "how ?" "too much applejack." "you think you'll ever be rich again ?" "[ sighs ] well, I tell you what, sonny." "I don't lay awake nights worrying' about it." "Now, look." "there's a d, right ?" "d as In dog." "Now watch me." "I'll call 'em out." "I've decided to leave g." "here forever not really." "let me know If you're stayin' behind that's a seven." "otherwise, I'll be gone In the mornin' d as In dog." "let me know If you're staying behind now you can play a covered chord or a rhythm chord." "let me know that's g." "If you always will want me or If you'll wander" "Into another's arms a or a seven." "g." "let me know what you decide dear then let me rest a." "my head for a while" "I've decided to leave here forever d as In dog." "let me know" "If you're comin' along otherwise, I'll be gone" "In the mornin' d." "let me know" "If you're stayin' behind [ thunderclaps ]" " hi." " hi." "[ thunderclap ]" " what can I get ya ?" " uh, about five dollars worth, please." "oh, excuse me." "Um, Is this where mac sledge stays ?" " yeah." "Is he here ?" "yes." " well, could we talk to him ?" " what about ?" "we just wanna meet him." "we're admirers of his." "see, we saw the story In the newspaper this mornin'... and, uh..." "well, we got a band." "we'd just like to say hello and pay our respects." "yeah, we got all his records." "we grew up on his music." "He's great." "that's five dollars." "pay up." "I bought the beer." "I paid for the gas last time." "it's his turn." "it's your turn, man." "pay up." "well, could we see him ?" "I'll ask." "great." "all right." "[ laughing, hooting ]" " hello, boys." " hello, sir." " howdy." " I was tellin' this pretty lady here-- - oh, this Is my wife rosa lee." "pleased to know you, ma'am." "ma'am." "we were sayin' we got a band, you know, and, um-- you five boys ?" "yes, sir." "I'm the manager." "and I play the guitar." "and, uh, bertie's on bass, steve's on the fiddle." "and henry plays the steel, and jake's drums." "who does your vocals ?" "[ laughing ] uh, well, we all take turns on that." "see, you've been a real Inspiration to us all." "that's most gratifyin' to hear." "[ jake ] when you gonna start singin' again, sir ?" "I'm not gonna start singin' again, son." "I've lost it." "you don't miss singing' ?" "no." "Oh, I miss some things, but I don't miss a lot of it." "so, uh, maybe we'll come listen to ya some night." "hey, we sure would like that." "hey, we, uh-- we wonder If you have any advice for us." "no, I don't really." "just, you know, sing it the way you feel it." "pleased to know you." "nice to meet you." "bye-bye." "so long." "[ country ] it's a cozy place for sleepin' lazy nights [ clapping, hooting, whistling ]" "I shut the door for a little peace and quiet ooh, but the best part of all the room at the end of the hall that's where you and me make everything all right" "we can't afford good wine or pink champagne we ain't got no open fireplace flame but we celebrate the happiness we've found every night In the best bedroom In town" "every night In the best bedroom In town [ cheering, whistling ]" "thank you." "thank you very much." "any fool can see that love Is blind" "here I am to prove it one more time forget about my pride" "I didn't mean to catch you by surprise" "I hope that Isn't pity In your eyes" "I've tried so hard to stay away and keep you off my mind" "I know I should but it's no good as time goes by and I'm not over you" "I'll gladly be a fool" "In love again" "If there's a chance that you might see me touch me, want me never leave me" "'cause I'm still goin' crazy over you" "I'm never gettin' over you it's been a month." "how do you like it ?" "one more cup of coffee then I'll go but there's one more thing I think you ought to know the days go by but nothin's changed" "I'm still here for the takin' and just a touch would mean so much to one whose heart Is breakin' over you" "I'll gladly be a fool" "In love again [ continues, Indistinct ] mac ?" "hello, harry." "good to see ya." "what are you doin' around here ?" "uh, I live around here." "you do ?" "things goin' all right for ya ?" "pretty well." "you, you wanna see this show ?" "I mean, it started, but I can get ya In there." "no, thanks." "harry, I have a song here." "I thought you might give it to dixie to look over." "If she likes it, maybe she'll record it." "all right, mac." "kind of a surprise." "I thought maybe you quit the business." "I have, but I just wrote this song and I thought, you know" "I'll see that she gets it." "you workin' ?" "[ cheering ] eh, at a motel." "mac, it's good to see you." "you look great." "[ dixie ] thank you very much." "thank you." "good luck to ya." "[ applause, whistling ] thank you." "ladies and gentlemen, let's give a big warm texas welcome to billy bob and-- [ cheering continues ]" "[ man ] I'm In another time again tryin' to find my way around again" "same old drink across that dim-lit bar" "checkin' out who the singles are bartender send her one on me" "she smiled and turned to me cautiously" "I hear my guitar on-- what the hell are you doin' here ?" "I was hopin' to say hello to sue anne." "get harry In here right away." "you stay away from her." "do you hear me ?" "you stay away from her, or I warn you, I'll have the law on you." "all she remembers about you Is a mean drunk tryin' to beat up her mama." " you're dead as far as she's concerned, mac." " how you been ?" "she never thinks about you." "she's happy." "lady, you're not tellin' me what to do." "You never have." "harry, get him out of here." "I do not want him around." "who the hell does she think she Is ?" "she starts yellin' at me." "he Is jealous of me because I am successful and he's not." "it's the way it's always been." "bullshit." "bullshit !" "Make sure he doesn't see sue anne, okay ?" "all right." "just make sure he does not see sue anne." "You understand ?" "all right." "Settle down." "okay ?" "settle down !" "how could-- what" "I-- you know, sometimes-- jesus christ." "you're home early." "uh-huh." "concert must not have been very long." "it was the regular time." "I left early." "why ?" "I didn't care for it." "why not ?" "sonny In bed ?" "uh-huh." "what you been doin' ?" "[ sighs ] not much." "you watch your tv ?" "nope." "then why are you so quiet ?" "are you mad about somethin' ?" "my god, woman." "don't tell me you're jealous." "rosa lee, are you jealous of dixie scott ?" "[ clears throat ] maybe I am." "why ?" "[ sighs ] 'cause, you know." "no, I don't know." "well, because she's rich and famous, and you used to be married to her." "my god, don't be jealous of her, rosa lee." "she's poison to me." "she's absolutely poison to me." "then why did you go listen to her sing ?" "someday I'll tell you." "why can't you tell me now ?" "because I can't." "why not ?" "because I can't." "why ?" "because I can't." "Goddamn it, don't you understand english ?" "I understand english, and you don't have to yell at me." "you'll wake up sonny." "[ sighs ] look, mac." "If you went hopin' to see your daughter, I could understand that." "I mean, you could come right out and tell me that." "I'd be lyin' If I told you that was the reason." "why ?" "Didn't you want to see her ?" "of course I did." "I tried to, but dixie saw me and pitched a fit." "[ sighs ] how long's it been since you saw her ?" "since before the divorce-- seven, eight years." "[ sighs ] sorry." "[ harry ] mac, dixie told me to bring that back to you myself-- tell ya it ain't no good." "she told me even If it was good, she wouldn't sing it, and she don't wanna have nothin' to do with you." "I don't want anything to do with her either." "I just wrote this song." "I thought it was a good song for her." "I guess I was wrong." "now did you get a look at it ?" "yeah." "I looked at it." "well, what do you think ?" "I don't think it's no good either." "[ harry ] it's a different game now." "well, that's fine." "ma'am." "I don't give a goddamn about any of this no more, so what In hell Is wrong with me ?" "I guess it's about sue anne bein' grown up and all." "no, no, no." "it's gotta be hard on you not bein' able to see her." "[ engine starting ]" "I love you, you know ?" "every night when I say my prayers... and I thank the lord for his blessings and his tender mercies to me, you and sonny head the list." "thank you." "would you, uh, would you sing the song you wrote to me ?" " well, it's no good." " well, I sure would like to hear it." "all right, but it's kind of corny." "I don't care." "well, you asked for it." "let me get your guitar for you." "all right." "let's see now." "baby, you're the only dream" "I've ever had that's come true there's so much more to reach for thanks to you all that I have Is-- [ voice fades ]" "got no voice." "you know I don't like a song." "I never have, and I never will." "mac." "hey, don't feel sorry for me, rosa lee." "I'm not dead, you know." "I don't feel sorry for you." "mac." "[ engine starting ]" "[ horn honking ]" "[ country ] then he gets what he came after you're gonna wake up all alone what do you want ?" "I don't know." "you want a beer ?" "you want food ?" "you want a drink ?" "I don't know yet." "When I do, I'll let you know." "pass the sugar, please." "thank you." "[ jukebox: country ] [ dixie ] I'm not strong mind not playing that damn music ?" "hell, yes, I mind." "like I used to be no, let me bring him back what's wrong with him ?" "I don't know." "[ horn honking ]" "[ honking continues ] get over, you redneck bastard !" "[ tires screeching ] [ horn honking ]" "what are you doing, you dumb son of a bitch ?" "are you crazy ?" " hi." " hi." "Is mr." "Sledge around ?" "no, he's not here right now." "tell you the truth, I don't know where he Is, and I'm not real sure when he's coming back." "oh, well, I just wanted to holler at him If he was here." "um, we're playin' at a dance around here this saturday night, and I was wonderin' If we could leave one of our posters with you." "oh, sure." "thanks." "well, I'll be seein' ya." "sometimes some things are hard to break" "with me it's reality and though someone will take my place" "I'll go on lovin' you" "through eternity but, oh, it hurts so much to face" "reality" "I wonder where mac Is." "[ rosa lee ] I don't know, sonny." "he's older than you are." "he's 15 years older than you." "that's no secret." "everybody knows that." "I didn't know it till they told me at school." "well, I would have told you If you'd asked me." "was my daddy older than you ?" "mm-hmm." "Two years." "let's see, uh" "I got married when I was 16, and I had you when I was 17." "and I was a widow at 18." "then how come he went to vietnam ?" "[ vehicle approaching ] [ vehicle passing ] he got drafted." "He didn't know I was gonna have you till after the army got him." "boy at school says his daddy told him all they learned In vietnam was to take dope." "do you think that's right ?" "I don't know, sonny." "I hope not." "you think my daddy took drugs ?" "no, I don't think so." "the kids at school take drugs." "I don't wanna hear of you takin' 'em." "If you do, I'll have your hide." "what are you so mad about ?" "never mind that." "You just listen to me about them drugs." "where are you goin' ?" "I don't know." "I don't wanna stay around you." "[ sighs ] all right." "Look, sonny." "I'm sorry." "come over here with me." "come here." "look." "I-- I didn't mean to yell at ya." "I'm just a little nervous tonight, okay ?" "what song Is that ?" "um, that's somethin' mac wrote." "[ humming ]" "I wish he'd come on home." "where do you think he Is ?" "I don't know, sonny." "your guess Is as good as mine." "[ woman on tv ] fur." "[ man on tv ] very good." "[ laughing ] come on." "Alpaca ?" "[ man ] alpac-- [ sonny ] Is he here ?" "no." "why'd you turn off the tv ?" "because I was sick of it." "you goin' to bed ?" "yes." "when ?" "soon." "Go to sleep !" "[ vehicle approaching ] [ vehicle passing ]" "show me thy way, o lord, and teach me thy path." "lead me In thy truth and teach me, for thou are the god of my-- [ car approaching ]" "[ car door slams ] ...salvation, on thee do I wait all the day." "[ key rattles In lock ]" "mac ?" "that you ?" "I'm not drunk." "I bought a bottle, but I poured it all out." "and I'm not drunk." " have anything to eat ?" " no." "are you hungry ?" "I guess so." "let me get you something." "[ sighs ] what do you want to eat ?" "I made some soup." "want me to heat it up ?" "a little soup will do me." "okay." "I rode by here six or seven times." "I could see y'all sittin' here watchin' tv." " see me ride by ?" " no." "I rode all over town tonight." "started twice for san antone." "turned around and came back." "started for austin;" "started for dallas." "and I turned around, came back." "you remember that song you took over to that guy In austin ?" "yeah." "remember those boys who had that band who came down here to see you ?" "well, two of them came by today, and they, uh, left off a poster." "and, uh, I asked them If they could read music, and one of them could, so..." "I asked him to teach me that song you wrote, as I" "I thought I'd try to surprise you by singin' it when you came home." "[ chuckles ]" "I think it's a real pretty song, mac." "[ sighs ] well, and he did too." "and he thought-- well he'd like for his band to sing it." "I said I didn't know." "I'd have to ask you." "I did say I would ask, but I said you probably wouldn't care." "it's an old song." "it wouldn't make any difference." "oh, it's no old song, rosa lee." "I only wrote it last week." "that's why I got upset when harry said he didn't like it." "I been writin 'em all along." "I" " I even got more In here." "you say the boy liked the song ?" "he said he did." "I sure liked it." "what are the names of some of your other songs ?" "well, one Is called "the romance Is over,"" "and one Is called "god can forgive me, why can't you ?"" "[ chuckles ] did you learn the song ?" "not well enough to sing it." "can't read music." "how did you learn to read music, mac ?" "I had an auntie that taught me." "she had an old, half-busted piano, and she sat me down at that piano one summer when I came In from the fields." "she taught me." "I've been missin' my music." "it may not be any good anymore, but that don't keep me from missing' it." "] [ strumming chords" " when did you get home ?" " he got In just a minute ago." " you said you were going to wake me up." " I forgot." " good night." " good night." "I don't care If you give that song to those kids to play." "all right." "come on." "try it with me." "baby, you're the only dream I've ever had that's come true come on." "If you just hold the ladder, baby" "I'll climb to the top sing it." "I can't." "why ?" "come here." "come over here." "you just walked right outta here." "drinking' canada dry since my woman said bye yes, I'm up here In the cold and I want to get home but I'll settle for a high" "and as each double goes down" "I toast another lonely town this bottle's all I can see till she comes back with me drinkin' canada dry" "I call on all the radio stations... and try to get 'em to play our records." "I've gotten to know some of those boys pretty well." "I was tellin' 'em about this song-- the ladder song you let us play." "yeah." "they, uh-- they said we ought to try to talk you Into letting' us record it." "hi." "course, they thought the best Idea would be... to try to get you to give us another song too." "and then-- then these friends of mine said-- I do have another song." "come by the house, and I'll let you listen to it." "okay." "thanks." "yeah." "how you doin' ?" "morning'." "what'll you have ?" "bag of feed." "okay." "see, we've been at this now for four years, and everybody's married but me." "jake's got a little girl too." "we still gotta travel all over the state to get engagements." "yeah, we didn't clear but a hundred bucks last week." "we showed up at the golead the other night, and they had another band a-pickin'." "how many recordings you make ?" "three." "But I haven't exactly told you the truth about that, though." "they broke even on all our records, but-- yeah ?" "even so, they're not gonna record us with our own songs." "yeah, it's a-- it's a dirty business." "maybe it's the best thing that can happen to you for now." "world Isn't gonna come to an end, I'll tell ya." "yeah, I guess, but, uh, like I said, we heard last week they'd record us If we used two of your songs." "I gave you my permission." "I told you that." "yeah, but, uh-- it's not just your songs." "they want you to sing 'em." "who does ?" "the record company." "what record company ?" "it's called the aztec." "never heard of it." "how do you make it on a hundred a week ?" "[ all chuckling ] we all got other jobs." "jake's In construction." "I'm a substitute teacher." "I don't know." "Uh-- thank you." "you bet." "uh, let me think about it." "sure mean a lot to us." "you understand that." "it'd be a real Incentive for us all." "I'll tell you what." "I ain't promising' nothin', you understand." "I'll give it a try." "If I don't like the way it sounds, we'll just back away from it." " okay." " give me a couple days to think it over." "thank you." "[ woman ] hey, mister, were you really mac sledge ?" "yes, ma'am." "I guess I was." "[ chuckles ] see that cloud there In the sky" "so lonely drifting by well, that's the way she's adrift from me" "keep all my pride to myself" "I know there's someone else but, oh, it hurts so much to feel reality" "how you doin' ?" "[ rosa lee ] hi, mac." "you got a visitor." "where ?" "living room." "yeah ?" "do you recognize me ?" "yes, I do." "how did you recognize me ?" "I just did." "y'all excuse us, please ?" "you've changed." "you don't look like your pictures anymore." "don't I ?" "well, god knows when the last picture of me was taken." "it don't make a whole lot of difference, but I did try to get In touch with you." "I wrote a few letters." "did you ever get 'em ?" "no." "well, your mama didn't have to give 'em to you." "courts gave her complete jurisdiction." "quite rightly, I guess, considering... my state at the time." "I told mama I was comin' here." "she told me she'd have me arrested If I did." "and harry reminded her that I'm 18 now, and I don't have to mind anybody." "mama says you tried to kill her once." "[ sighs ] I did." "why'd you try to kill her ?" "well, she got me mad some way." "I was drunk." "I don't know." "one of those things." "someone told mama the other night you were the best country singer they ever heard." " [ chuckles ] - mama threw a glass of whiskey right In her face." "she said they were just sayin' that to spite her." "you think you ever will sing again ?" "oh, I think about it once In a while." "sometimes I think I'd like to earn a little money to... make things a little easier around here... or to help out If you ever needed anything." "I don't need any money." "mama set up a trust fund out of all the royalties she ever earned... singin' the songs that you wrote." "I can buy myself anything I want." "anything I got has come from your music." "well, I'm happy for that." "but it wasn't just my music." "it was your mama singing' it too." "you mustn't forget that." " I know." " yeah." "you have some supper with us ?" " well, thank you, no, I can't." "I have a date tonight." " oh." "plays In mama's band." "we have to sneak around, 'cause mama don't like him." "would you like to meet him ?" "he'd like to meet you." "[ breathes deeply ]" "I don't think that's such a good Idea." "I really wouldn't want your mama to think we was ganging' up on her behind her back." "I could tell her I was bringin' him here." "well, all right, then." "how about tomorrow afternoon ?" "fine." " 2:00 ?" " anytime." "I'll be here." "you know, you haven't spoken my name once since I've been here." "don't you know my name ?" "sure, I know your name." "I just kinda been figuring' out to myself what I ought to call you." "when you were a little girl," "I used to call you "sister."" "I started to call you that this time, when I saw you, but I didn't know If it would mean anything to you or not, or If you'd remember me doin' that." "there was a song you used to sing to me when I was little, I think." "it was somethin' about a dove." "mama said she never heard you sing it to me, but..." "I think it went somethin' about a" ""on the wings of a snow-white dove, he sends his something'-somethin' love."" "I don't remember that." "I don't." "so who else had a good science project besides you ?" "uh, cy henderson." "cy did ?" "what'd he do ?" "he made this gigantic picture of the world..." "[ car engine starting ] and he showed the crust and the-- the core of the earth, and you could open it up." "when jesus went down to the waters that day" "he was baptized" "In the usual way when it was done god blessed his soul" "he sent him his love on the wings of a dove on the wings of a snow-white dove" "he sends his pure sweet love a sign from above" "on the wings of a dove on the wings of a dove [ sighs ]" "I'm still goin' crazy over you and no, I'm never gettin' over you" "over you" "I'd gladly be a fool" "In love again" "I know I'm never gettin' over you [ crowd cheering ]" "she left a note." "dixie found it this morning In a hotel." "yeah ?" "sue anne's eloped." "shit." "her mama's gone c [ crowd cheering ]" "she left a note." "dixie found it this morning In a hotel." "yeah ?" "sue anne's eloped." "shit." "her mama's gone crazy." "doctor's got her pretty well doped up, but it looks like we're gonna have to cancel that show." "[ sighs ]" "I don't know what she expects." "she spoiled that kid rotten." "I try to tell her a lot of people have been married at 18." "Some of 'em got kids." "dixie was married at 18, but I guess you know about that." "I guess so." "Yeah." "what's the boy like she's marrying' ?" "no boy." "thirty years old." "been married three times already." "look, If you see her," "If you hear from her, ask her to please call her mama." "all right." "I will." "I shouldn't have said what I did about your music." "it's all right." "I can't promise ya nothin', mac, but I'll take the song with me to nashville." "I'll show it to whoever I can." "what's the $500 for ?" "it's earnest money." "it's good faith money." "I owe you that." "no way, harry." "no, sir." " come on, mac." " no, sir." "you don't owe me anything." "besides, I've got..." "other plans for the song right now." "you got other songs, mac ?" "yeah, I do." " you gonna show 'em to me ?" " no." " come on, for christ sake !" " no, goddamn it, harry." "don't you understand english ?" "I don't want to show 'em to you." "why ?" "because I don't want to, so stop buggin' me." "you can't get sore at me for askin' you that." "change the subject, harry." "this Is my business, for christ sake !" "look, you want to do somethin' with your music, you know how to get ahold of me." "all right." "you were 16 when you got married ?" "yeah." "dixie was, what, 18 when I married her, and I was 17 when I married the first time." "you never told me you were married before dixie." "no ?" "uh-uh." "I thought I told you everything about me." "oh, well, you didn't tell me that." "well" "I was tryin' to get started In the business." "I was singin' In any honky-tonk bar that would let me through the door." "and I wandered from town to town, city to city, lookin' for places to sing." "finding' any kind of work I could In a day to keep me alive... so I could sing and play at night." "finally, lois-- my first wife's name-- couldn't stand it;" "she went home." "and I went back six months later lookin' for her, and I found her living' with another man." "said she wanted a divorce, so, hell, I gave it to her." "swore I'd never marry again." "and when I met dixie, it changed my mind." "[ chuckles ]" "I was makin' a few records by then, and she was singin' when I met her, and she said she'd give it up when she got married, but then she recorded a song of mine, and she done well with it... and said she wanted to sing for five years and get it out of her system." "never happened." "never did." "[ chuckles ] never did." "when at last" "I kneel on the shore and the fearful breakers wall which span the peaceful lands the valley of the blessed then I hear him saying to me then I will finally see" "upon your profession of faith In our lord jesus christ," "I baptize you In the name of the father... and of the son and of the holy spirit." "upon your profession of faith In our lord jesus christ," "I baptize you In the name of the father... and of the son and of the holy spirit." "[ man ] amen." "Amen." "well, we done it, mac." "we're baptized." "yeah, we are." "everybody said I was gonna feel like a changed person." "I guess I do feel a little different, but I don't feel a whole lot different." "do you ?" "not yet." "you don't look any different." "[ chuckles ] you think I look any different ?" "not yet." "[ chuckles ] [ people applauding ]" "[ guitar: ballad ]" "baby, you're the only dream" "I've ever had that's come true there's so much more to reach for thanks to you" "all I've had" "Is me till now come on." "let's dance." "but I see what we've got and If you just hold the ladder, baby" "I'll climb to the top" "If you'll just stand beside me all the way" "I'll do all the things that didn't matter yesterday and I'll be everything this man can be before I stop" "If you'll just hold the ladder, baby" "I'll climb to the top" "things just started changing with your touch" "I like him." "yesterday tomorrow just didn't mean as much now I'll be everything this man can be" "before I stop" "If you'll just hold the ladder, baby" "I'll climb to the top" "If you'll just hold the ladder, baby" "I'll climb to the top" "[ cheering, whistling ] - thank you very much." "[ man ] and just like the old days." "[ country ] hey, mac, that sounds great, okay ?" "[ man ] whoo-hah !" "real good, mac." "thank you." "that was wonderful." "thank you." "I was a little nervous." "were you ?" "yeah, a little bit." " couldn't tell, could you ?" " no, ma'am." " [ chuckles ]" " it was all right ?" " I thought it was great." " I liked it too." "mind If your mom and I dance ?" "no, sir." "come on." "Let's go." "when you fill up these empty arms of mine" "[ man ] whee-hoo !" "the only time I'm ove r my old heartache" "Is that your daddy ?" "no, that's my step-daddy." "my mama says he was a famous singer." "I guess so." "where's your mama ?" "over there." " ah, shit." " Is that your daddy with her ?" "no, that's a friend of hers." "my mom and dad were divorced." "were your mom and dad ever divorced ?" "no, he died In vietnam." "did he get shot ?" "I guess so." "don't you know ?" "no." "I don't know how he died." "didn't you ever ask ?" "no." "come on." "Let's dance, will ya ?" "Come on !" "[ boy ] I hope that man's never my step-daddy." "why ?" "Don't you like him ?" "no." "Do you like your step-daddy ?" "yes, I do." "better than your own daddy ?" "I never knew my own daddy." "I know mine, and he's not so much either." "[ ends ] [ cheering, applauding ]" " hi." " Is my daddy here ?" "no, he's In town." "he'll be back In a little while." "I wonder If he could cash a check for me." " how much ?" " it's just a hundred dollars." "oh, I don't know." " well, the check Is good." " I'm sure." "I just don't have that much In the drawer." "[ register rings ] uh, I just have 25." "oh, well, that'll help." "I appreciate it." "you been back long ?" "well, we been back a couple days." "you guys plannin' to stay around here ?" "I don't know." "we may stay." "we may move on." "my husband has to find work." "mama stopped my trust fund out of spite." "uh, we met some musicians In austin the other night... that, uh, said my daddy just made a new record." "oh, he did." "how did it go ?" "pretty good, I think." "he seemed pleased." "hey, uh, are you a singer too ?" "I sing with the choir-- you know, down at the church." "I thought about bein' a singer." "but, uh, I don't think I have any voice, to tell you the truth." "I guess I was just goin' on about singin' to devil mama." "my daddy's quit drinkin', they tell me." "yes, he has." "how'd he quit ?" "I don't know." "he just quit." "well, did you ask him to quit ?" "no." "he was working here, and I told him he couldn't drink while he worked." "sometimes he used to go off and load up, but gradually he even stopped that." "my husband drinks." "most musicians do, you know." "he says he'll quit soon as he gets work, but-- sue anne, do you have a place to stay ?" "uh, yeah, we're stayin' at the jeff davis hotel In austin." "well, If you need a place tomorrow night, you're welcome here." "thank you." "has anybody In the orchestra heard from them ?" "mm-mm." "I give the marriage a month." "how long do you give it ?" "I don't know, dixie." "don't you at least have an opinion ?" "no." "Not about that." "you know what's just come to me ?" "I can't Imagine." "you can't Imagine ?" "no." "mac Is lying' to you." "what's he lyin' to me about ?" "to spite me." "he knows where they are, and he's just not gonna tell us out of spite." "he's tryin' to get back at us 'cause I wouldn't sing that old song of his." "[ horn honking ]" "[ car radio: country ]" "howdy there." "how you doin' ?" "great." "Here it Is." "we just heard it." "we're real proud of it." "the record company says it's gonna dorealgood." "even jake likes it." "not much pleases old jake." "I'm glad you boys are pleased." "we'll have to get a record player so we can listen to it." " what, y'all don't even have a record player ?" " we have a radio and a tv." "y'all come over to my house right now, and I'll play it for you." "all right." "I'd love to hear it." " we'll see y'all over at the house." " uh-huh." "better start listenin' to the radio too, because they're givin' it some play." "you bet." "get In there." "[ excited chatter ] see y'all later." "see ya In a bit." "bye." "So long." "bye." "[ truck engine starts ]" " [ radio: country ] - [ phone rings ]" "hello ?" "[ man on radio, Indistinct ]" "[ station-switching continues ]" "[ "If you climb the ladder" ] [ switches radio off ]" "[ wind gusting ] that was harry silver." "they got a wire this mornin' that my daughter was killed..." "In an automobile accident somewhere..." "In northern louisiana." "I didn't catch the name of the town." "[ acoustic guitar: waltz ]" "a little child boy or girl will dream at night" "In their own dream world and as they play they pretend that they believe" "well, I'm no child but times it's true" "I pretend" "I'm not losing you because it hurts so much to face reality" "dixie's not doing well at all." "what about sue anne's husband ?" "well, he's gonna live." "In the hospital." "he-he was drunk." "it was all his fault." "dixie wanted a closed casket on account of the accident." "I thought it would be easier on her, on-on everybody..." "If we left this down at the funeral parlor, but... she wanted it brought back home." "little sister." "dixie ?" "dixie, mac Is here." "where Is he ?" "he's right here." "hello, dixie." "hi, mac." "mac, why has god done this to me ?" "why has god done this to me ?" "[ sighs ] oh, you know, I did everything I could to stop her." "I" "I begged and I pleaded and, um," "I gave her everything In the world she ever wanted." "[ sobs ]" "I had nothin' when I was her age." "do you remember ?" "[ whispers ] yeah." "[ sobs ]" "I gave her everything money could buy." "[ sobbing ]" "that was our little girl, mac." "[ sobbing continues ] no, see, I want to see my little girl." "I brought her back here to be with me." "just let me out !" "I want to be with my little girl !" "let me go, you son of a bitch !" "no !" "No !" "[ wailing ] be still." "Be still." "[ wailing subsides ]" "[ hens clucking ]" "mac ?" "you okay ?" "I was almost killed once In a car accident." "I was drunk... and I ran off the side of the road and I turned over four times." "and they took me out of that car for dead, but I lived." "and I prayed last night to know why..." "I lived and she died, but I got no answer to my prayers." "I still don't know why she died and I lived." "I don't know the answer to nothin'-- not a blessed thing." "I don't know why I wandered out to this part of texas drunk... and you took me In and pitied me and helped me to straighten out, marry me." "why ?" "Why did that happen ?" "Is there a reason that happened ?" "and sonny's daddy died In a war" "[ Inhales sharply ]" "my daughter killed In an automobile accident." "why ?" "you see, I don't trust happiness." "I never did." "I never will." "[ brakes squeal ]" "where's mac ?" "he's outside." "he got you something." "it's In your room." "how did my daddy die ?" " I don't know, sonny." " was he killed In battle ?" "honey, I just don't know." "didn't you ever ask anybody ?" "yes, I asked someone." "and they couldn't tell me anything except that he'd been found dead." "see, he was alone when they found him, and they couldn't be sure how long he'd been there... or If he'd been In a battle, which battle, because there were three In the area that week." "it could have been In any of 'em, they said." "or he could have been out walking, they said, and a sniper got him." "where would he be walking to ?" "they didn't have any more Idea than I did." "he was just a boy." "but he was a good boy." "I think he would have been a fine man." "I think you would have been proud of him." "I know he would have been proud of you." "[ mac singing "wings of a dove," Indistinct ]" "thanks for the football, mac." "you're welcome, sonny." "[ mac ] good !" "hey !" "I'm gonna send the ball." "[ mac ] come on." "throw it to me !" "whoo !" "[ sonny chuckles ]" "[ mac ] go on !" "come on." "with tender hands you gathered up the pieces" "of my life [ mac chuckling ]" " lying In your loving arms - [ sonny giggling ] never felt so right [ mac ] whoo-hoo !" "the hard-luck road behind me" "Is reflected In your eyes and the glory of the bright lights can't compare to this feelin' when you smile" "you're the good things I threw away comin' back to me every day" "you're the best it could ever be you are what love means to me" "I've been around and seen it all from the bottom to the top" "and honey" "I can tell you now" "I'm thankful for what I've got" "these prison walls" "Inside me never let this poor soul free" "till the power of your true love broke them down just In time to rescue me" "you're the song I could never write you're the magic In my heart tonight" "when the morning sun comes shining through" "I'll still be holding you" "you're the good things I threw away comin' back to me every day" "you're the best it could ever be you are what love means to me" "you're the good things I threw away comin' back to me every day you're the best it could ever be you are what love means to me" "you're the best it could ever be you are what love means to me" "mmm-mmm" "mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm-mmm" "mmm-mmm-mmm"