Sandy McLean sent this to me; he got it from a friend, Don Miller, in typed form. It isn't clear what the ultimate source was. It is different in several ways from the versions given above, and I think it has merit, especially the line I have put in italics.


THE DOLLAR AND THE DEVIL

1. In this world of frill and fashion where the churches are so fine,
And the trademark of religion is the blessed dollar sign,
There's a rule that never faileth and always you'll find it true:
Where the dollar rules the pulpit, there the devil rules the pew.

CHORUS: There may be a lot of singing and an awful lot of prayer,
And the sermon may be answered by an "amen" here and there,
But as sure as I am talking and your taxes will come due,
Where the dollar rules the pulpit, there the devil rules the pew.

2. When the money gets to talking and the Master's voice is still,
And the preacher swaps his sermon for a twenty-dollar bill,
That's when the time Old Mister Devil gets the churches in a stew.
Where the dollar rules the pulpit, there the devil rules the pew.

3. When religion goes a-begging and the Bible is forgot,
And the preacher preaches nothing but some scientific rot,
Then the faithful old believers are getting mighty few.
Where the dollar rules the pulpit, there the devil rules the pew.

[The Online 78 rpm Discographical Project lists recordings by Henry Whitter, 1924, by Lester McFarland & Robert Gardner, 1928; and by Frank & James McCravy, c1929-30.]