The Elms Unless God Appears First lyrics

I was born beside the Erie in the summertime
And lived inside the rust buckle till the age of nine
I broke the rules of the preacher and his blessed little wife

I turned the left side of truth into the center of life
I pulled the gray and the gold out of the black and the white
I've got a heart that's full of equal parts
Of fear and faith, and they say
Unless God appears first, I will die that way

I sing sad songs, I get high some
I got nothin' to prove
Baby winnin' or lose I'm the same and I say
Unless God appears first, I will die this way

I remember kissin' Julie on a Friday night
I told her she was the one and then she let me inside
I stole the trust of a woman who was only ever kind


I called her after a year, in a moment of need
She didn't mention that night or ask no penance of me
I was convicted and forgiven in an instant on that day
And I say, unless God appears first, I got debts to pay

I sing sad songs, I get high some
I got nothin' to prove
Baby winnin' or lose I'm the same and I say
Unless God appears first, I will die this way

And if heaven comes or I hear it calling
From the mansions behind pearly gates
I'll go at night or on horses of fire
Through whirlwind and wire with a grin on my face
Unless God appears first, I will fly away