The song tells the story of a basset hound named Ole Lonesome George who lived in Brentwood, Tennessee. Although he was not a champion show dog, he taught the other show dog puppies to always try and please the judges. His owners loved him and took him to dog shows, but George never won first place, often being called the worst by judges. One day, the kennel keeper received an urgent call from the local TV station, saying that Johnny Cash needed a basset hound for his show. Ole Lonesome George went to the show and surprised everyone with his performance, barking, growling, and jumping around, earning a standing ovation from the crowd. George became the show dog after all. The song shows that even though someone may not be the best at something, they can still surprise people and succeed in their own way. It also highlights the importance of perseverance and never giving up on oneself.
