No Gold Goes Down That Road

Plainspoken country-blues wisdom song, 88 BPM, 4/4 shuffle, E major, Bubba: unmistakably male seasoned storyteller; Darlene: unmistakably female low gospel-soul answers and bridge lead, Fingerstyle acoustic guitar, resonator slide, upright slap bass, brushed shuffle, restrained piano and tremolo harmonica, Original E-A-E-C#m-A-B-E refrain; descending bass turnaround suggests possessions slipping away, Begin with guitar alone and a spoken invitation, Harmonica solo after verse two; gospel harmony enters only as hope in God's redemption emerges, Earthy, reflective, quietly assured finish

[Intro - Bubba, spoken] Rich man, poor man, pull up near. There's a truth we all need to hear. [Verse 1 - Bubba, male] He put his name across the acreage, Said his house would always stand; But the wise man and the foolish Both must leave it in another's hands. You can count a room of silver, You can weigh a mountain's ore; You cannot redeem your brother, Cannot buy him one life more. [Chorus - Duet] No gold goes down that road, No name can make death slow. All the praise this world can offer Is a coat you must let go. But my hope is in the God Who can ransom from the grave; No gold goes down that road, Only God has power to save. [Verse 2 - Darlene, female] Why should someone else's riches Make my trembling heart afraid? All their splendor stops behind them When their earthly bed is made. Death will shepherd those who trust it, All their boasting brought down low; But my God will yet receive me, That's the wisdom I would know. [Instrumental Break - Tremolo harmonica; resonator answer] [Bridge - Darlene, female] Let the wealthy hear the warning, Let the lowly hear it too: Honor cannot purchase wisdom; God, my trust belongs to You. [Final Chorus - Duet] No gold goes down that road, No name can make death slow. All the praise this world can offer Is a coat you must let go. But my hope is in the God Who can ransom from the grave; No gold goes down that road, Only God has power to save. [Outro - Bubba, male] Leave the acres, leave the gold; God alone can keep my soul.

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