V1.

I was born beside the Erie in the summertime,

And lived inside the rust buckle 'till the age of nine.

I broke the rules of the preacher and his blessed 

little wife.



I turned the left side of truth into the center of 

life,

I pulled the grey and the gold out of the black and the 

white.

I've got a heart that's full of equal parts of fear and 

faith, and they say... 

Unless God appears first, I will die that way.



CHORUS.

I sing sad songs.

I get high some. 

I got nothin' to prove,

Baby winnin' or lose I'm the same... and I say

Unless God appears first, I will die this way.



V2.

I remember kissin' Julie on a Friday night

I told her she was the one and then she let me inside.

I stole the trust of a woman who was only ever kind.



I called her after a year, in a moment of need

She didn't mention that night or ask no penance of me.

I was convicted and forgiven in an instant on that day.

And I say, unless God appears first, I got debts to 

pay.



CHORUS.

I sing sad songs.

I get high some. 

I got nothin' to prove,

Baby winnin' or lose I'm the same... and I say

Unless God appears first, I will die this way.



BRIDGE:

And if heaven comes, or I hear it calling

From the mansions behind pearly gates...

I'll go at night, or on horses of fire

Through whirlwind and wire 

With a grin on my face.

Unless God appears first, I will fly away.