Chickens in the backyard
Preserves in mason jars
Dry county dust has got me feelin' kinda low
Cat's on the windowsill
I'm feeling shaky still
Mama's in the kitchen singing sweet by and by
She can't quite hold the tune
She's dancing 'round the room
I disappoint her but she'll still carry on


And thank God forgiveness comes in so many shapes
I've been traveling in anger tryin' to ditch the shakes
If you get high in Texarkana, can you still wake up in grace
That's Mom in the kitchen singing sweet by and by


A fox got the chickens y'all
Was too late I never heard 'em squall
There's one goldеn pullet left
She's thе queen of the roost
Sittin' on her compost pile
Lookin' out her one good eye
I'm tryin' to hold her but she won't be held
She's my softy girl, too soft in an angry world
Oh, fat flesh is slaughtered, and hallow wings will break

But thank God forgiveness comes in so many shapes
I've been traveling in anger tryin' to ditch the shakes
If you go blind in Texarkana, can you still wake up in grace
That's Mom in the kitchen singing sweet by and by


My mother's in the ground
All ancient wisdom now
Hope she's alright with this ugly brown dress
We sent the old girl on
With guitars and gospel songs
But there's things a microphone just can't pick up
Something like quiet prayer but it comes from everywhere
Something like a loan you know you never can pay back


But thank God forgiveness comes in so many shapes
I've been traveling in anger tryin' to ditch the shakes
If you die in Texarkana, can you still wake up in grace?
That's Mom in the kitchen singing sweet by and by
That's Mom in the kitchen singing sweet by and by


Chickens in the backyard
Preserves in mason jars
Dry county dust has got me feelin' kinda low