(intro)

Oh, the first time I met Russell Abram
Was in the summer of seventy-nine
He came for some lessons on the guitar
And we have been friends since that time

I didn't know too much about Russell
And he didn't know too much about me
But we became the best of buddies
As in this old song you will see

He knew a lot of songs about Jesus
So this was a good place to start
He was playing the guitar in no time
And singing these songs from the heart

Because He Lives, Thank You Lord, He Touched Me
Were songs he enjoyed very much
And he knew all the words by mem'ry
He was blessed with the Master's touch

When there wasn't much work in the music
I had to close my bus'ness down
But Russell, he came to my rescue
There was always some work to be found

Thanks for being my friend, Russell Abram
I am so grateful that you cared
You are truly my brother, this I know
I'll not forget the times that we shared

(intro)

Painting the fence, and working the farm
And singing in church, this is true
Cleaning the office, and guarding the shop
These were things Russell had me to do

It is not just the work that he gave me
Even tho' I'm so thankful for that
But he treated me more like a brother
Yes, his home had a welcome mat

We sang a lot of songs about Jesus
While we were a-trav'ling the road
I had my guitar, so we could sing in the truck
Heading somewhere to pick up a load

And oh, the good times at the conf'rence
To Guelph, Ontario, we'd go
Learning of Jesus, and praising His name
The blessings of God did overflow

Now, this is not the end of the story
There's so much more that should be said
About my dear friend, how I love you
And all the great things that you did

Thanks for being my friend, Russell Abram
I am so grateful that you cared
You are truly my brother, this I know
I'll not forget the times that we shared