Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

Long Black Limousine

The song “Long Black Limousine” was composed circa 1958 by country musicians/songwriters Edwin Braden and Bobby George. The song was recorded by various artists but it didn’t really go anywhere until Elvis Presley recorded his soulful  version for the “From Elvis in Memphis” album in 1969. “Long Black Limousine” then gained massive popularity. It took 11 years for the right voice to truly bring it home

Here are the lyrics: There’s a long line of mourners driving down our little street. Their fancy cars are such a sight to see, oh yeah. They’re all your rich friends who knew you in the city and now they’ve finally brought you, brought you home to me. When you left you know you told me that someday you’d be returnin’ in a fancy car, all the town to see, oh yeah. Well now everyone is watching you, you finally had your dream, yeah. You’re ridin’ in a long black limousine. You know the papers told of how you lost your life, oh yeah. The party, the party and the fatal crash that night. Well the race along the highway, oh the curve you didn’t see. When you’re riding in that long black limousine. Through tear-filled eyes I watch as you pass by, oh yeah. A chauffeur, a chauffeur at the wheel dressed up so fine. Well I never, I never, never, never oh my heart, all my dreams yeah, they’re with you in that long black limousine.

A few days ago I provided the music for a memorial service at one of the local funeral homes.  As is my custom, I took notice of the classic black hearse parked under the portico as I entered the west door. After the service, I couldn’t seem to get that hearse off of my mind. So a few days later I called Mike, who has owned the funeral home since 1988, and asked him a few questions about the long black 1996 Cadillac Fleetwood hearse. He told me it has a 454 engine (same as the Corvette Stingray), runs on premium fuel, and the mileage is under 100,000. The big-block V8 is a robust engine that’s capable of moving a substantial load at low speeds and can also accelerate smoothly without straining the drivetrain. The empty hearse weighs about 4,450 lbs. and fully loaded could weigh close to 5,230.

A Cadillac is not built in the GM factory as a hearse, but is converted by a coachbuilder on a modified chassis, based on a limousine-type vehicle with extensive structural and functional changes to meet funeral-specific needs. Even though other makes of vehicles are now sometimes used for hearses, the Cadillac has a long history (since 1916) and is the dominant and consistent choice for that respectful final ride.

The most traditional color for a hearse is black. This color has long been associated with grief, solemnity, and respect. The black finish also conveys a sense of formality and dignity which aligns with the proper nature of funerals. However, a silver finish is a contemporary and elegant choice. In 1977, a white Cadillac hearse symbolizing “new life” was chosen to transport Elvis Presley from Graceland to the mausoleum at Forest Hill Cemetery in Memphis. In fact, 16 white Cadillac limousines were brought in from all over the United States for this “state-like” funeral procession of 49 vehicles.

I found all of this information to be fascinating. But a scripture of great importance is: “Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God” (Hebrews 9:27 GNT). Statistics prove that we’re not going to get out of here alive. Believers must live with a daily commitment to Christ and an eternal perspective.

The Key: Make sure you know where you’re headed before you take that one-way ride to eternity.