His daddy was a fiddler in an old timers' band
He was born with a guitar in his hand
All he had to do was walk down the furrow
Learn to dance and how to put on a show
They had to listen, they had to sit down
For the next in line to wear the crown
He made music like a sailor rides the wind
He played his hand even if he knew he couldn't win
Denis was the king of the night
He was always the last one standing
When there was no one in his sights
He kept on drinking and singing
Whether he was all alone
Or singing at the town arena
When he picked up his old guitar
He would play it like a rock and roll star
There were never clear skies ahead
Never knew how to land when the needle hit the red
He only had one way of livin'
There was never nothing he wasn't givin'
Took to the stage like a wild dog a-howling
Went to his grave with his fist still a-swinging
Some people said he was way out of line
They can say what they want he just knew how to shine
Denis was the king of the night
He was always the last one standing
When there was no one in his sights
He kept on drinking and singing
Whether he was all alone
Or singing at the town arena
When he picked up his old guitar
He would play it like a rock and roll star