I heard all them pretty girls singing all them pretty words, and how I heard all them pretty girls singing all them pretty words, oh wow Now I'm sick and broken hearted and I know what that song means now Well, I heard 'em sing ol' blues And sing about the mules and plows I heard 'em sing ol' blues And sing about the mules and plows Now I'm on a scrambled dirt farm And I know what that song means now Well, reveille was called and I thought about the law, oh bound Well, reveille was called and I dreamt about the law, oh bound Well, my legs had both been shattered and I know what that song means now My sons have both been slaughtered and I know what that song means now Well, I heard a little bird chirpin' then I thought I heard a meow Yeah, I heard a little birdie chirpin' then I thought I heard a meow But I been walking round hungry and I know what that song means now Well, I heard him sing the hymns and I heard fire and brimstone about I heard him sing the hymns and in his songs I heard brimstone about Well, brother I found the lord and I know what that song means now When that collection plate goes plate round and I know what that song means now