GROSS: What did your family Bible look like? Willie Nelson, thank you for singing that. And I can hear my mother softly singing rock of ages, rock of ages cleft for me. I can see us sitting 'round the table when from the family Bible Dad would read. At the end of day when work was over and when the evening meal was done Dad would read to us from the family Bible, and we'd count our many blessings one by one. But the family Bible on the table will ever be my key to memories. (Singing) There's a family Bible on the table. NELSON: Well, this is sort of autobiographical, or practically 100 percent autobiographical.

GROSS: Would you sing us a big of the 'Family Bible' and tell us what went into the writing of it? GROSS: Did you get any royalties since you'd already sold the song? He was looking for a song to record, so I sang him 'Family Bible' and wound up selling it to him between - I sold it to him and two more guys for $50 I think. I was down in Houston writing and playing down there and run into (unintelligible) Claude Gray. GROSS: And this was - what - in the late 1950s or early 1960s. Now, one of the first songs that you wrote that got recorded was called the 'Family Bible.' I've been feeling kind of free, but I'd rather feel your arms around me 'cause you're taking away everything that I wanted. Baby's takin' a trip, but she ain't taking me. WILLIE NELSON: (Singing) Been feeling kind of free, but I sure do feel lonesome. (SOUNDBITE OF SONG, 'YOUR MEMORY WON'T DIE IN MY GRAVE') Nelson brought his guitar for some music and conversation after he'd released a gospel album and a recording of original songs called 'Spirit.' They began with a track from that album called 'Your Memory Won't Die In My Grave.' Today, we'll hear parts of two interviews Terry recorded with Willie Nelson, starting with one in 1996. Willie Nelson established himself as a songwriter in the '60s with songs such as 'Hello Walls,' 'Crazy' and 'Night Life.' He broke through as a performer in the '70s, wearing blue jeans and long hair, defying the rhinestone-style of country performers of the day. He told an interviewer last week, I don't do time off very well. In his 60-year, Wilson has written 2,500 songs, won seven Grammy awards, been honored at the Kennedy Center and is in the Country Music Hall of Fame. This week, Willie Nelson became the first country singer and songwriter to receive the Library of Congress George Gershwin Prize for popular song.

Willie nelson i am so lonely song