Billy Ray was a preacher's son
And when his daddy would visit he'd come along
When they gathered around the parlour talkin'
That's when Billy would take me walkin'
Through the backyard we'd go walkin'
Then he'd look into my eyes
Lord knows, to my surprise
The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, ooh, yes he was (hallelujah)
Bein' good isn't always easy
No matter how hard I try
When he started sweet-talkin' to me
He'd kiss 'n tell me "Everything is all right" (sock it to me)
"Baby, baby everything is all right" (sock it to me)
Can I sneak away again tonight, now?
The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man (I tell you that)
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, ooh, yes he was (hallelujah)
How well I remember
The look that was in his eyes
Stealin' kisses from me on the sly
Takin' time to make time
Tellin' me that he's all mine
Learnin' from each other's knowin'
Lookin' to see how much we've grown and
The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man (I tell you that)
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, oh he was (hallelujah)
Hallelujah, son of a preacher man
Hallelujah, for the son
Son of a preacher man
Hallelujah, son of a preacher man
Hallelujah, for the son
Son of a preacher man
He's only boy, yes he is, who could ever reach me
Son of a preacher man
He's only boy who could ever teach me
Son of a preacher man
And when his daddy would visit he'd come along
When they gathered around the parlour talkin'
That's when Billy would take me walkin'
Through the backyard we'd go walkin'
Then he'd look into my eyes
Lord knows, to my surprise
The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, ooh, yes he was (hallelujah)
Bein' good isn't always easy
No matter how hard I try
When he started sweet-talkin' to me
He'd kiss 'n tell me "Everything is all right" (sock it to me)
"Baby, baby everything is all right" (sock it to me)
Can I sneak away again tonight, now?
The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man (I tell you that)
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, ooh, yes he was (hallelujah)
How well I remember
The look that was in his eyes
Stealin' kisses from me on the sly
Takin' time to make time
Tellin' me that he's all mine
Learnin' from each other's knowin'
Lookin' to see how much we've grown and
The only one who could ever reach me
Was the son of a preacher man (I tell you that)
The only boy who could ever teach me
Was the son of a preacher man
Yes he was, he was, oh he was (hallelujah)
Hallelujah, son of a preacher man
Hallelujah, for the son
Son of a preacher man
Hallelujah, son of a preacher man
Hallelujah, for the son
Son of a preacher man
He's only boy, yes he is, who could ever reach me
Son of a preacher man
He's only boy who could ever teach me
Son of a preacher man
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I am not sure if I heard Dusty’s or Aretha’s version first but Aretha’s version is the one version I own and hear all the time. What a great vocal by Aretha as she seems to be totally disarmed by that wolf Billy Ray. Helpless in his power she seems more resigned to her emotions than what I remember from Dusty. Both renditions are wonderful.
love it sooo much x mmwa