The song "Man Who Picked The Wildwood Flower" by Merle Haggard tells the story of a man named Jack Dupree, who was a street singer in Nashville. The narrator, who is a friend of songwriter Tommy Collins, recounts Collins' experience of preaching a funeral for a man with no identity, which left a lasting impression on him. This led Collins to think about Jack Dupree and wonder how many people attended his funeral, which inspired the lyrics of the song. The narrator describes attending Jack's funeral and seeing only five people present: two grave diggers, the preacher, the funeral man, and himself. The burial is quick, lasting less than half an hour, leaving the narrator to say goodbye to the little man who picked the wildwood flower. The song then goes on to describe Jack's life on the streets of Nashville, where he was a popular figure, drawing crowds with his music. The narrator asks Jack if he can pick the wildwood flower and is touched by the man's simple reply that he can. The song ends with the narrator reflecting on the sadness of Jack's funeral and the low-key way in which he was remembered, despite being a beloved figure in Nashville for over 20 years.
