There was a brand new stranger at the old bus station.
He said music city is my destination.
He said the whole wide world's gonna sing my song,
And you can take that to the bank.
I'm on a mission.
I'm on a mission.
I'm 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 you'd see him he was writing a song.
And he would never leave one piece blank, (he'd say:)
I'm on a mission.
I'm on a mission.
I'm 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 you've been singing.
And the kid said fine, just give me some time
To talk to my patron saint. (You see:)
I'm on a mission.
I'm on a mission.
I'm 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 here's your chance, boy, go on and take it.
You sing from the heart, and you're gonna make it,
But if anybody tries to change you
Into something that you ain't, (you tell 'em:)
I'm on a mission.
I'm on a mission.
I'm on a mission from Hank.
I'm on a mission.
I'm on a mission.
I'm on a mission from Hank.