Here's my transcription from the MP3 file which can be found on this page:


TALKING DEATH OF GOD BLUES
As sung by Tom Paxton at Mandel Hall, University of Chicago, February 2, 1967.

[The intro is cut off at the beginning.] ... and so I have written a theological ... which should settle the matter once and for all. It's called "Talking Death of God Blues." The "blues" in the title is clearly redundant, but it's a matter of form; I have to have it.

I went down to church last week.
A hippie young preacher I chanced to meet:
Rimless glasses, very long hair,
A manner very debonair,
Readin' Camus,
Smokin' pot,
Said: "Religion is where it's at, baby."

I told him I was sick at heart
With troubles tearing me apart.
With troubles growing worse each day,
I felt the time had come to pray.
He said: "To whom?"
I said: "To God."
"Sorry, he's checked out."

Well, I mean, he had me shook.
He said: "You'll have to read my book.
It puts the whole thing where it's at.
Friend, God is dead, and that is that.
I was there.
I waited three days, and when nothin' happened, I spread the word."

He said: "You're not the only one.
You know who's lookin' pretty glum?
My troubles, friend, are really big.
It looks like I just blew my gig—
Me and Billy Graham,
Lyndon Johnson—
All them faith healers."

One question I just had to try:
"Just how exactly did he die?"
He smiled and gently waved his hand.
"Some things we'll never understand.
Some mysteries are eternal.
My eyes were blinded with holy fire,
And besides, I didn't want to hang around and meet the one that did it."

Well, now, he had me on the ropes.
I said goodbye to all my hopes,
But late that night I hit the floor
And thought that I would try once more.
A voice said: "Whom did you wish to speak to?"
I said: "I'd like to speak to God."
"I'm sorry; that is not a working number."

Well, just as I got off my knees,
A streak of lightning hit the trees.
A tree knocked down a high-powered wire
And set the whole damn town on fire,
Blew out the church's neon sign,
Lit it up again, sayin': "I've got you covered."