In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Saints and sinners, come one, come all
Have a little revival
Losers, winners, answer my call
Cause right now the tent's up
Really it is
The word's out
Truly it is
An' has been since the dawn
Hear me tell y'
The call's out
Really it is
An' we're 'bout
Tendin' t' biz
To git this meetin' on,hear me tellin' you
Brothers' n' sisters who want to repent
That's right
You'll find what you been lookin' for
Right here in this tent
Lend an ear and you'll see
Cause when it comes t' needin' savin'
Ain' nobody knows it better than me
I was so low that I know
That only a miracle like this
Is the only way t' heavenly bliss
It's really the truth, lawdy, I know it
I know it 'cause I been taken through it
Now the spirits in me an' allowed the Lord
T' win me, I can testify to it
Sweet sweet the angel's song
Sweet the feelin' I been searchin' for
For ever so long
I never again imagine livin' life
Like I was livin' when I lived wrong
Get ready
Swing
Here they come the choir's all set
Be steady
Sway
See the people fillin' them pews
Be willin'
All
To announce without a regret
It's thrillin' !
Day
Tell the world the wonderful news
Folks' re troopin' in from farther 'n' near
F' news that they can hardly wait to hear
They're nearly starved cause they're waitin'
For food for the soul, yeah
Starved cause they're waitin' for
What will not grow old
Preacher's openin' up the book
He gonna pause awhile an' take a look
'N' then he'll start tellin' everyone
Just how t' do, yeah
Sister Emmy Lou done gone t' shoutin'
An' jumpin' cause she feels the spirit
The congregation's stompin' its feet
An' everybody's movin' outta their seat
They really gonna get this meetin' on
An' praise the Lord until the dawn
Yeah--hear that preacher spread the word
Cause it's the greatest word
You've ever heard
When he says
"I'm callin' sinners right now you hear
I'm callin' sinners right to me
When ol' Satan grabs your soul
It takes the Lord's true word to break his hold
So I say you got to listen mostly to me
You got to listen closely"
Don't let the devil catch y' nappin'
Gotta keep the vigil every minute
Or the devil gonna surely git you
"Watch your step 'n' how you act
Mister Scratch is here, an' that's a fact
If anyone can stop him, I can
That's why I'm the preacher man"
We hear the word
We hear your voice
We know there really isn't any other choice
Head f' heaven t' day
We're on the gospel train
We can show you the way
Relieve all strain
Leave your cares and your woes
Yes!
Heaven knows
Yes!
Y' dodge that devil in his fine fancy clothes yes!
Come git aboard
We still got space
Hear the word of the Lord
We saved your place
Save your soul while y' can
Yes!
Sinner man
Yes!
Git on as fast as you can
You've heard the sermon sublime
Down south camp meetin' time!
Have a little revival
Losers, winners, answer my call
Cause right now the tent's up
Really it is
The word's out
Truly it is
An' has been since the dawn
Hear me tell y'
The call's out
Really it is
An' we're 'bout
Tendin' t' biz
To git this meetin' on,hear me tellin' you
Brothers' n' sisters who want to repent
That's right
You'll find what you been lookin' for
Right here in this tent
Lend an ear and you'll see
Cause when it comes t' needin' savin'
Ain' nobody knows it better than me
I was so low that I know
That only a miracle like this
Is the only way t' heavenly bliss
It's really the truth, lawdy, I know it
I know it 'cause I been taken through it
Now the spirits in me an' allowed the Lord
T' win me, I can testify to it
Sweet sweet the angel's song
Sweet the feelin' I been searchin' for
For ever so long
I never again imagine livin' life
Like I was livin' when I lived wrong
Get ready
Swing
Here they come the choir's all set
Be steady
Sway
See the people fillin' them pews
Be willin'
All
To announce without a regret
It's thrillin' !
Day
Tell the world the wonderful news
Folks' re troopin' in from farther 'n' near
F' news that they can hardly wait to hear
They're nearly starved cause they're waitin'
For food for the soul, yeah
Starved cause they're waitin' for
What will not grow old
Preacher's openin' up the book
He gonna pause awhile an' take a look
'N' then he'll start tellin' everyone
Just how t' do, yeah
Sister Emmy Lou done gone t' shoutin'
An' jumpin' cause she feels the spirit
The congregation's stompin' its feet
An' everybody's movin' outta their seat
They really gonna get this meetin' on
An' praise the Lord until the dawn
Yeah--hear that preacher spread the word
Cause it's the greatest word
You've ever heard
When he says
"I'm callin' sinners right now you hear
I'm callin' sinners right to me
When ol' Satan grabs your soul
It takes the Lord's true word to break his hold
So I say you got to listen mostly to me
You got to listen closely"
Don't let the devil catch y' nappin'
Gotta keep the vigil every minute
Or the devil gonna surely git you
"Watch your step 'n' how you act
Mister Scratch is here, an' that's a fact
If anyone can stop him, I can
That's why I'm the preacher man"
We hear the word
We hear your voice
We know there really isn't any other choice
Head f' heaven t' day
We're on the gospel train
We can show you the way
Relieve all strain
Leave your cares and your woes
Yes!
Heaven knows
Yes!
Y' dodge that devil in his fine fancy clothes yes!
Come git aboard
We still got space
Hear the word of the Lord
We saved your place
Save your soul while y' can
Yes!
Sinner man
Yes!
Git on as fast as you can
You've heard the sermon sublime
Down south camp meetin' time!
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Down South Camp Meeting Lyrics as written by Irving Mills Fletcher Henderson
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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