DENOMINATION BLUES
(Washington Phillips)
As transcribed (anonymously) from the singing of Ry Cooder

(G) I wanna tell you people it's a nat'ral fact
Ev'ry man don't understand 'bout the life
And that's (C) all, I tell you that's (G) all
'Cause you better have (D) Jesus
I tell you that's (G) all

Well, the denominations have the right to fight*
They ought go on and treat each other right
And that's all, I tell you that's all
'Cause you better have Jesus
I tell you that's all

It's right to stand together, wrong to stand apart
When none will enter heaven but the pure at heart
And that's all, I'll tell you that's all
'Cause you better have Jesus
I'll tell you that's all

Well, the primitive Baptists they believe
That you can't go to heaven 'less you wash your feet
And that's all, I'll tell you that's all
'Cause you better have Jesus
I tell you that's all

Well, the African Methodists, they believe the same
'Cause they know denomination ain't a thing but a name
And that's all, I'll tell you that's all
'Cause you better have Jesus
I tell you that's all

Well, people that jump from church to church
You can bet their conversion don't amount too much
And that's all, I'll tell you that's all
'Cause you better have Jesus
I tell you that's all

Well, you can to your college, you can go to your school
But if you ain't got Jesus, you'se (you are) an educated fool
And that's all, I'll tell you that's all
'Cause you better have Jesus
I tell you that's all

SH

*"denominations have no right to fight," per Stewie's post referencing Phillips' text, above