The Magic of the Ryman
Performed by Bale Harrison & The Texas Field Hands
The End of the End of the Farm – Music and Lyrics by Alan Nafzger
Verse 1:
It started with a preacher, and a riverboat man,
Tom Ryman built this hall with God’s own hand.
From stained glass windows to the wooden pews,
The Mother Church of Country gave Nashville its roots.
Johnny Cash and Dolly stood where souls collide,
Elvis sang, and Taylor brought that Ryman pride.
It’s more than a building, it’s alive, they say,
You feel the magic when the music starts to play.
Chorus:
There’s a divine magic in the Ryman’s halls,
Where the echoes of the ages still answer every call.
From the Opry to Houdini’s tricks on stage,
It’s where country, gospel, and history engage.
You can feel the spirit, as the songs take flight,
It’s the heart of Nashville, shining bright at night.
Yeah, there’s magic, oh, there’s magic,
In the Ryman’s light.
Verse 2:
Charlie Chaplin made ‘em laugh with every move,
While Harry Houdini broke out of chains to prove,
That anything’s possible where these walls stand tall,
It’s more than a stage, it’s a place for us all.
From civil rights protests to a Southern Baptist crowd,
The Ryman’s seen it all, and it’s forever proud.
The Grand Ole Opry made its home in this place,
With every note, you can still see the legends’ face.
Chorus:
There’s a divine magic in the Ryman’s halls,
Where the echoes of the ages still answer every call.
From the Opry to Houdini’s tricks on stage,
It’s where country, gospel, and history engage.
You can feel the spirit, as the songs take flight,
It’s the heart of Nashville, shining bright at night.
Yeah, there’s magic, oh, there’s magic,
In the Ryman’s light.
Bridge:
Oh, they almost lost it, but the people gave it back,
They saved the soul of country, kept it on track.
Now the pews are filled with dreamers, from every walk,
They hear the stories in the songs, and the music talks.
From Prince to Parton, and beyond the stars,
The Ryman’s reaching out, no matter who you are.
Chorus:
There’s a divine magic in the Ryman’s halls,
Where the echoes of the ages still answer every call.
From the Opry to Houdini’s tricks on stage,
It’s where country, gospel, and history engage.
You can feel the spirit, as the songs take flight,
It’s the heart of Nashville, shining bright at night.
Yeah, there’s magic, oh, there’s magic,
In the Ryman’s light.
Outro:
So here’s to Tom Ryman and all who’ve passed through,
From Johnny to Elvis, the legends we knew.
There’s a magic here that’ll never fade,
In the Ryman’s walls, the music’s always made.
Yeah, there’s magic, oh, there’s magic,
In the Ryman’s light.
The Magic of the Ryman
by Alan Nafzger (2018)
From the Opry’s hymns to Houdini’s grand show,
It’s where country, gospel, and history flow.
Feel the spirit rise as the songs take flight,
The heart of Nashville, glowing in the night.
Yes, there’s magic—oh, such magic—
In the Ryman’s light.
Charlie Chaplin danced, made the crowd believe,
While Houdini broke chains, full of tricks up his sleeve.
These walls have seen laughter, triumph, and pain,
Through history’s moments, through joy and through strain.
From civil rights marches to a Baptist crowd’s grace,
The Ryman holds stories time can’t erase.
The Grand Ole Opry still lives in this place,
You see the legends in every face.
Chorus:
There’s a magic in the Ryman, pure and divine,
Where echoes of legends live through time.
From the Opry’s hymns to Houdini’s grand show,
It’s where country, gospel, and history flow.
Feel the spirit rise as the songs take flight,
The heart of Nashville, glowing in the night.
Yes, there’s magic—oh, such magic—
In the Ryman’s light.
Bridge:
They almost lost it, but the people held tight,
Saved the soul of country, kept the future bright.
Now dreamers gather from every land,
Listening close, where the music takes its stand.
From Prince to Parton, the stars shine on,
The Ryman keeps calling, its magic never gone.
Chorus:
There’s a magic in the Ryman, pure and divine,
Where echoes of legends live through time.
From the Opry’s hymns to Houdini’s grand show,
It’s where country, gospel, and history flow.
Feel the spirit rise as the songs take flight,
The heart of Nashville, glowing in the night.
Yes, there’s magic—oh, such magic—
In the Ryman’s light.
Outro:
So here’s to Tom Ryman and all who’ve passed through,
From Johnny to Elvis, the legends we knew.
The magic here will never fade,
In the Ryman’s halls, where dreams are made.
Yes, there’s magic—oh, such magic—
In the Ryman’s light.
