When The Parson Went To Church (Poem) Chords

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_ [G] _ _ [D] Never been much [G] for church going, just didn't do it much, that's all, [Em] was the greeting that
the [F#] parson got each time he'd pay a [G] call on the cranky, gruff old-timer who lived at the
edge of town.
But if you want to talk about something else, then you're welcome to sit [F#] down.
[G] The parson smiled and then declined the [G#m] offered ice cold beer as [F#] they discussed the weather
and the price of wool and [Em] steers.
He [D] tried to turn the conversation to discussing the hereafter, and the old man would change
the subject, just [G] like a skillful hand crafter.
[F#] But the preacher finally nailed him.
[D] He just came [G] straight out and asked, [F#m] [A] Why is it that your heart's so cold?
[F#m] What happened in your past that made you so determined to avoid the path [G] of good?
[F#] I'd sure admire to know, and you could tell me if you would.
The old man stared in space a while, and then he cleared his throat, [D] pulled a pipe from
his pants pocket, some tobacco from his coat.
[G] He filled his pipe and lit it, set there [D] puffing clouds of [Em] smoke.
The parson fidgeted and waited, and then the [D] old man spoke.
He told an awesome story that you'd find hard to believe.
The events that he related would make a grown man grieve.
He didn't [G] hold back nothing.
Talked about his deepest fear.
With [D] your permission and some patience, I'll retell it for you here.
_ [G] Over fifty years ago, he said, I gave some serious [F#] thought to the life that I [G] was living
and decided that I ought to change where I was heading, behave [C] like church [F#] folks said
I should, and [A] avoid the devil's dreadful snare if it was where I could.
[F#m] They was holding a camp [Cm] meeting, and folks came from [F#] miles around.
[F#m] The parson spoke in [G] glowing terms of a place called Higher Ground, and he told some fearsome
stories of hellfire, [D] dreadful, hot, which was waiting for the wayward who'd be cooked
[G] in Satan's pot.
_ [D] He implored the folks assembled there.
He [Em] called them congregation to come forward to [D] the altar and secure their [G] soul's salvation.
[D] Said they had to shun their [D] evil ways and walk the king's highway or else [G] face sure
damnation in the final judgment day.
[D] _ Well, [G] folks went rushing [F#m] forward and fell down on [E] bended knees, beseeching and [D] praying
for the Lord to hear their pleas.
[G] Then the parson prayed and prayed and prayed and finally said, Amen, which I thought concluded
[C] everything, [G] but then he started up again.
Now [B] I'll admit to being worked up some, but I was [D] sure surprised when he [D] yelled, head
for the river [C] now so you can be [G] baptized.
_ [D] [G] Since I didn't know exactly what baptizing was all about, I decided that I'd trail along
and maybe so [D] find out.
They gathered at the [G] river's edge and put on sheets of white.
The parson [Em] waited in chest deep.
It [D] was really quite a sight.
[Em] He told how at the judgment golden [D] halos all would crown him, then grabbed the closest
by the neck and [E] did his [D] best to drown him.
That fellow started kicking [G] and he surfaced with a sputter, but the preacher [D] didn't worry none.
He simply [G] grabbed another.
[D] I didn't [Em] see no more because I left there on the [D] run.
But I'm here to say for [G] certain that that parson overdone his attempts to save those
poor lost souls from woe and dread perdition.
And converting folks so he could drown them was a losing proposition.
_ I've not been back to church since then.
[D] And I [G] know you've disagreed, but a lifetime spent with [D] nature has provided [G] me a creed.
I've seen the mighty hand of God in lightning bolts that fly from storm [D] clouds as they're
boiling all across a prairie [G] sky.
I've heard the roll of thunder like a voice from up above and watched [D] a mama rock her
babe [Em] with shelter and care and love.
[D] I've seen things change with seasons.
[F#] And I know that man can't do [Em] the marvels we see day [D] to day throughout the whole year through.
Seen [G] colts romping in the pastures, baby calves are [F#] being born.
Watch the [G] colors change like magic [F#m] in the sunrise of the [Em] morn.
[D] Seen some do good for others [G] because it's just the thing to do.
Heard wind singing through the pine trees like a choir, pure and true.
Watched little [Em] kids at Christmas filled [Bm] with happiness and joy.
Seen their [G] eyes light up with pleasure as they unwrapped a [F#m] toy.
[C] I gaze in wonderment at [G] all, sometimes at all [D] I see that's [G] been put here by someone
else, not folks like you and me.
It weren't no accident for sure.
[D] That theory's awful odd.
Nothing like [G] this could be built by [C] anyone but God.
[G] Well, [D] Parson, that's what [Em] I believe, what my life is based [D] upon.
It's where I get the strength I need sometimes to carry [A] on.
I believe that [D] God loves all mankind [G] and I hope that he can see that I love him almost
as much as I'm praying he loves [G] me.
_ [F#m] The parson [F#m] sat there [C#] for a while as silent as a mouse, [G] then left without saying nothing
and headed for his house.
But he pondered as he walked along what caused his mind to search [D] for the reason [C] why he felt
[G] so strong like he had just been in church.
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