The Good Earth

The good earth swallows up the seed and swallows life as well From long before the day you're born till heaven comes or hell It binds your hands with chains of clay that are so hard to break But when I left good earth behind I made a big mistake I've traveled far and traveled wide I've seen a lot of things But looking back on all the years I don't know what they mean Like steel I'm probably stronger From going through the fire I kept on climbin' lower Diggin' deeper to get higher I turned around one evening when the sun was going down I heard the Bible told a preacher who just pulled into town At last I'm back on good earth where I should have always been Lord forgive me if I ever try to leave good earth again Well the good earth was my mama and my daddy too Now I'm working my hands in soil tryin' to pay my due And when I'll breathe my last breath which may not be too long Just shovel a little good earth over my head 'Til everybody open up the hymn book and sing a happy song Shall we gather at the river in the sweet by and by Just as I am Jesus loves me one of these days I'll fly I'm standing on the promises Lord build the place for me In the good earth over Jordan by the Sea of Galilee mhm