Transcribed by me from the sound file at The Record Lady's All-Time Country Favorites (On that page, click on "Real Country Archives Page 6"):

I'M S-A-V-E-D
(As sung by Karl and Harty [Karl Davis and Harty Taylor].)

Some folks jump up and down all night at a D-A-N-C-E,
And Sunday go to church to show their brand new H-A-T.
Upon their faces smeared are daubs of P-A-I-N-T,
But still they've got the brass to say, "I'm S-A-V-E-D."

CHORUS: "I'm S-A-V-E-D, I am, I'm S-A-V-E-D.
I know I am, I'm sure I am, I'm S-A-V-E-D."

I know a man; I think his name is B-R-O-W-N.
He talks for prohibition but votes for G-I-N.
He helps to mix the poison in his neighbor's C-U-P
But still he's got the brass to say, "I'm S-A-V-E-D." CHORUS.

Some folks go to church to hear the B-I-B-L-E.
The preacher gives a sermon from the P-U-L-P-I-T.
Then they go home and play poker, and roll D-I-C-E,
But still they've got the brass to say, "I'm S-A-V-E-D." CHORUS TWICE.

* * *

AMG - All Music Guide says "Karl & Harty are more important for their influence over other groups such as the Blue Sky Boys...."

[The Folk Music Index lists these books:

1. "Songs for Pickin' and Singin'", Gold Medal Books, sof (1962), p133 (S A V E D)
2. "Songs for Swinging Housemothers," Fearon, Sof (1963/1961), p 43 (S A V E D)

and these recordings:

1. Delaware Water Gap. "String Band Music," Adelphi AD 2004, LP (1977), cut#B.05 (S A V E D)
2. Georgia Yellow Hammers. "Moonshine Hollow Band," Rounder 1032, LP (1979), cut# 8
3. Karl and Harty. "Karl & Harty with the Cumberland Ridge Runners," Old Homestead OHCS 137, LP (197?), cut# 16
4. Sovine, Melanie. "Appalachian Folk Music," Sovine WHA-0142LP, LP (197?), cut#b.05 (S A V E D)
5. West, Hedy; and Bill Clifton. "Getting Folk Out of the Country," Bear Family BF 15008, LP (198?), cut# 7 (S A V E D)."

It also mentions that Karl and Harty also recorded a song called "F-R-Double-E from S-I-N" by Jean Davis.

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The Traditional Ballad Index gives this info:

S-A-V-E-D

DESCRIPTION: The singer complains about the sins of others, spelling each out (e.g. they "d-a-n-c-e" while wearing a new "h-a-t"). The singer, though, need not worry about such things; "It's g-l-o-r-y to know I'm s-a-v-e-d."
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1926 (recording, Gid Tanner & his Skillet Lickers)
KEYWORDS: religious nonballad sin
FOUND IN: US Canada(Newf)
REFERENCES (2 citations):
Leach-Labrador 124, "S-A-V-E-D" (1 text, 1 tune)
Silber-FSWB, p. 349, "It's G-L-O-R-Y To Know I'm S-A-V-E-D" (1 text)
Roud #9539
RECORDINGS:
The Blue Sky Boys, "I'm S-A-V-E-D" (Bluebird 8401, 1940)
The Georgia Yellow Hammers, "I'm S-A-V-E-D" (Victor 21195, 1928)
Karl & Harty, "I'm S-A-V-E-D" (Perfect 6-10-54, 1936)
Gid Tanner and His Skillet Lickers, "S-A-V-E-D" (Columbia 15097-D, 1926)
NOTES: Obviously a composed song, but I've no knowledge of the source. I've heard it enough times that I suspect it belongs in the Index. There is a list of relatively recent recording by revival singers (along with an unattributed text and tune) in Sing Out!, Volume 38, #4 (1994), p. 68. - RBW
File: FSWB349

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