Emma Jean's Guitar
Chely Wright Lyrics

I found it in a pawn shop in a ragged cardboard case
The singer stumbled upon the guitar in a pawn shop, where it was stored in a beat-up container.

With the guns and dusty watches it looked so out of place
Amongst the other questionable objects within the shop, the guitar appeared misplaced.

With a Trailways baggage sticker yellow frayed and torn
The patron of the pawn shop mistakenly marked an old luggage tag with Nashville, September '64, representing the time the guitar made its way to Nashville.

And you could tell by the fingerboard her painted nails were long
The initial owner had long nails based on the remnants around the guitar strings.

She only needed three chords to play those good old country songs
The owner was capable of performing many classic country tunes with just a few chords.

And her name's etched in the finish like a fading battle scar
The previous player's name underlined the Gibson's finish.

And this 1950 Gibson was Emma Jean's guitar
The vintage 1950 Gibson belonged to a woman named Emma Jean.

I wonder if she played it in a small town talent show
The singer contemplates Emma Jean's past with the guitar, pondering if she used the instrument to perform for others.

With her hair teased to perfection in a dress her mama sewed
The hypothetical performance vision added detail to Emma Jean's image.

And for a little inspiration, she pasted on a star
An additional sticker on the guitar, in the shape of a star, possibly served as an inspiration for Emma Jean.

Here up on the headstock of Emma Jean's guitar
The star sticker belonged on the headstock of the guitar.

I wouldn't even know her if I saw her face to face
The original owner of the guitar, Emma Jean, would remain unknown to the singer.

But there's a little bit of Emma Jean in every song I play
The Gibson, now in possession of the singer, inspired them to always keep Emma Jean in mind when playing the strings.

She passed along these hopes and dreams cradled in my arms
The guitar represented Emma Jean's aspirations to the singer, an object to be cherished.

And I am just a guardian of Emma Jean's guitar
The current owner does not take full ownership of the guitar, instead viewing themselves as a guardian of an object holding someone else's dreams.

This 1950 Gibson was Emma Jean's guitar
The singer ends on the note of the guitar once again belonging to the original owner, Emma Jean.