I am the elder Utah Smith

I've got two wings to fly

They may be made of paper

They may never reach the sky

But I believe in mercy

I believe that man is good

And if they want two wings like me

There's a chance they could



I am the elder Utah Smith

I was born in Cedar Grove

That's in Louisiana

On a dirt-poor stretch of road

I found the calling early

Gave birth to righteous words

And in a tent around the South

I took my sonic church



I was a light for the living

And I spoke of peace and love

With two wings and my old Gibson

I bought blessings from above

I was here and I was gone

Just a heartbeat from the past

But I went from paper wings

To the real thing at last



I am the elder Utah Smith

I take all as they are

I was the first man of the cloth

To blacken a guitar

Love was my redeemer

I felt it from the start

The Holy Ghost was channeled

Through the sound of my guitar



I was a light for the living

And I spoke of peace and love

With two wings and my old Gibson

I bought blessings from above

I was here and I was gone

Just a heartbeat from the past

But I went from paper wings

To the real thing at last



Been a long time in the ground

Unmarked is my grave

But I reside elsewhere these days

Thanks to souls I've saved

I traveled far, I traveled wide

Three quarts for the Lord

Till one day he called me home

To claim his great reward



I was a light for the living

And I spoke of peace and love

With two wings and my old Gibson

I bought blessings from above

I was here and I was gone

Just a heartbeat from the past

But I went from paper wings

To the real thing at last



I was a light for the living

And I spoke of peace and love

With two wings and my old Gibson

I bought blessings from above

I was here and I was gone

Just a heartbeat from the past

But I went from paper wings

To the real thing at last