Green Beside Your House

Appalachian gospel-blues shuffle, 110 BPM, 4/4, G major, Bubba: unmistakably male earthy lead; Darlene: unmistakably female clear gospel-soul replies and second verse, Clawhammer banjo, acoustic guitar, upright slap bass, brushed snare, tremolo harmonica and gospel piano, Original Em-C-G-D verse opens into G-C-G/B-Am-D-G refrain, Sharp muted guitar figures portray deceit; flowing harmonica portrays rooted trust, Add B3 and close harmonies gradually, Banjo-harmonica trading break; final chorus warm and sturdy, with a brief stop before the last line

[Intro - Muted guitar; clawhammer banjo] [Verse 1 - Bubba, male] You can sharpen up your boasting Till your tongue is like a blade; You can love a lie for profit, Build a house on harm you've made. But the goodness of the Lord, friend, Will outlast your loudest claim; God can pull a root of evil From the ground that bears its name. [Chorus - Duet] Keep me green beside Your house, Lord, Like an olive rooted deep. Let me trust Your lasting mercy, Let Your goodness be my keep. When deceit has lost its shelter, When its mighty walls come down, I'll be waiting on Your good name, Green beside Your house, still found. [Verse 2 - Darlene, female] There he stood upon his fortune, Called destruction his strong hand; Would not make his God his refuge, Thought his riches made him stand. Let the faithful see and tremble, See how hollow pride can be; I will praise You for Your working, Set my roots where You keep me. [Instrumental Break - Banjo and tremolo harmonica] [Bridge - Bubba, male] Not the razor, not the riches, Not the ruin words can bring; [Darlene, female] I will wait among Your people, I will thank You, I will sing. [Final Chorus - Duet and harmonies] Keep me green beside Your house, Lord, Like an olive rooted deep. Let me trust Your lasting mercy, Let Your goodness be my keep. When deceit has lost its shelter, When its mighty walls come down, I'll be waiting on Your good name, Green beside Your house, still found. [Outro - Both] All my roots in lasting mercy, All my praise to You alone.

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