Golden rod and the 4-H stone 

The things I brought you 

When I found out you had cancer of the bone 


Your father cried on the telephone 

And he drove his car to the Navy yard 

Just to prove that he was sorry 


In the morning through the window shade 

When the light pressed up against your shoulder blade 

I could see what you were reading 


Oh the glory that the lord has made 

And the complications you could do without 

When I kissed you on the mouth 


Tuesday night at the bible study 

We lift our hands and pray over your body 

But nothing ever happens 


I remember at Michael's house 

In the living room when you kissed my neck 

And I almost touched your blouse 


In the morning at the top of the stairs 

When your father found out what we did that night 

And you told me you were scared 


Oh the glory when you ran outside 

With your shirt tucked in and your shoes untied 

And you told me not to follow you 


Sunday night when I cleaned the house 

I find the card where you wrote it out 

With the pictures of your mother 


On the floor at the great divide 

With my shirt tucked in and my shoes untied 

I am crying in the bathroom 


In the morning when you finally go 

And the nurse runs in with her head hung low 

And the cardinal hits the window 


In the morning in the winter shade 

On the first of March on the holiday 

I thought I saw you breathing 


Oh the glory that the lord has made 

And the complications when I see his face 

In the morning in the window 


Oh the glory when he took our place 

But he took my shoulders and he shook my face 

And he takes and he takes and he takes