[Intro]
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[Verse 1]
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Well God bless Texas and Decon Shackleford
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He read the bible seven times
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And he believed every word
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That ol' beat up leather book had been through it all
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He sat on the back pew so he could chew him a chaw
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Singin' "Amazing Grace
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How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me
[Verse 2]
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He carried candy for the kids in his Sunday dress coat
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He'd take me fishin' after church
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And taught me things I needed to know
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No, Deacon didn't have a family
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Lord knows he wished he did
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He told the whole congregation that I was his grandkid
[Chorus]
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And today he joined up with Jesus
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Wearing shiny pearl snaps
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We sang a few gospel hymns
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And then the soldier played taps
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I bet he's walkin' with Pete down the street paved with gold
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Showin' off his brand spanking new wings
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And his barbed wire halo
[Verse 3]
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He married sweet Emma Grace before the war was through
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She held his right arm next to his anchor tatoo
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He was on a ship off at sea when she died in childbirth
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He lost his whole world from the far side of the earth
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He lost the will to love
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He lost the will to live
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Until he met a man who taught him to forgive
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Yeah life took him to hell and back
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To hell and back a time or two
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But in the end he beat the devil until he was black and blue
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Singin' "I once was lost But now I'm found
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Was blind but now I see"
[Chorus]
Am G
And today he joined up with Jesus
D G
Wearing shiny pearl snaps
Am G
We sang a few gospel hymns
D D
And then the soldier played taps
Am G D Em
I bet he's walkin' with Pete down the street paved with gold
Am G D
Showin' off his brand spanking new wings
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And his barbed wire halo
[Bridge]
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Before he went he made me promise him that I wouldn't cry
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And though I told him that I wouldn't you know I couldn't help but lie
[Chorus]
Am G
Cause today he joined up with Jesus
D G
Wearing shiny pearl snaps
Am G
We sang a few gospel hymns
D D
And then the soldier played taps
Am G D Em
I bet he's walking with Pete down the street paved with gold
Am G D
As sure as the old church bell still rings
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He always said he had country in his soul
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He's showing off his brand spanking new wings
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And his barbed wire halo
[Outro]
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Sweet chariots coming forth to carry me home
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Swing low sweet chariots coming forth to carry me home