Aaron Watson - Philippians 3:12-14 lyrics

God bless Texas and Deacon Shackleford He read the bible seven times and he believed every word That ol' beat up leather book had been through it all He sat on the back pew so he could chew him a chaw singing Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me He carried candy for the kids in his Sunday dress coat He'd take me fishing after church, he taught me things I needed to know No Deacon didn't have a family, Lord knows he wished he did He told the whole congregation that I was his grandkid CHORUS And today he joined up with Jesus wearing shiny pearl snaps We sang a few gospel hymns and then the soldier played taps I bet he's walking with Pete down a street paved with gold Showing off his brand spanking new wings and his barbed wire halo He married sweet Emma Grace before the war was through She held his right arm next to his anchor tattoo He was on a ship off at sea, when she died in child birth He lost his whole world from the far side of the earth He lost the will to love, he lost the will to live Until he met a man who taught him to forgive Yeah life took him to hell and back, to hell and back a time or two But in the end he beat the devil until he was black and blue Singing I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind but now I see… CHORUS Before he went he made me promise him that I wouldn't cry And though I told him that I wouldn't you know I couldn't help but lie Cause today he joined up with Jesus wearing shiny pearl snaps We sang a few gospel hymns and then the soldier played taps I bet he's walking with Pete down a street paved with gold As sure as the old church bell still rings He always said he had country in his soul He's showing off his brand spanking new wings and barbed wire halo Sweet chariot coming forth to carry me home Swing low sweet chariot coming forth to carry me home