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.
Ordained for proclaimin' the gospel of Jesus
The great super preachers go crusadin' on
And the people all gather in big congregations
They hear of the Saviour who came to atone
And they kneel at the altar and they walk away happy
Then the devil starts gossip about money and sex
Makin' it hard on the good men of God like Billy and Bob and Oral and Rex
Old Billy Sunday is dead and gone young Jim Robertson's comin' on strong
And Billy and Rex and Oral and Bob are talkin' about Jesus and doin' their job
Millions of people tune in Katherine Coolman
And see her face shine with an unearthly light
Garner Ted warns of the world of tomorrow
But they criticized him and the reverend died
'Cause the devil is after the great super preachers
He'd try to discredit the gospel they bring
But Billy and Rex and Oral and Bob hold to their commitment to Jesus the King
Old Billy Sunday is dead and gone young Tommy Barnett is comin' on strong
And Billy and Rex and Oral and Rex are talkin' about Jesus and doin' their job
Old Billy Sunday is dead and gone young Jimmy Snow is comin' on strong
And Billy and Rex and Oral and Bob are talkin' about Jesus and doin' their job
The great super preachers go crusadin' on
And the people all gather in big congregations
They hear of the Saviour who came to atone
And they kneel at the altar and they walk away happy
Then the devil starts gossip about money and sex
Makin' it hard on the good men of God like Billy and Bob and Oral and Rex
Old Billy Sunday is dead and gone young Jim Robertson's comin' on strong
And Billy and Rex and Oral and Bob are talkin' about Jesus and doin' their job
Millions of people tune in Katherine Coolman
And see her face shine with an unearthly light
Garner Ted warns of the world of tomorrow
But they criticized him and the reverend died
'Cause the devil is after the great super preachers
He'd try to discredit the gospel they bring
But Billy and Rex and Oral and Bob hold to their commitment to Jesus the King
Old Billy Sunday is dead and gone young Tommy Barnett is comin' on strong
And Billy and Rex and Oral and Rex are talkin' about Jesus and doin' their job
Old Billy Sunday is dead and gone young Jimmy Snow is comin' on strong
And Billy and Rex and Oral and Bob are talkin' about Jesus and doin' their job
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Billy and Rex and Oral and Bob Lyrics as written by Johnny R. Cash
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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