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Lyle Lovett — Church
Album: Live in Texas
Avg rating:
6.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 487









Released: 1999
Length: 5:41
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Well I went to church last Sunday
So I could sing and pray
But somthing quite unusual
It happened on that day

Now church, it started right on time
Just like it does without a doubt
And everything was all just fine
Except when it came time to let us out

The preacher he kept preaching
He told us I have one more thing to say
Children before you think of leaving
You'd better think about the Judgement Day

Now everyone got nervous
Because everyone was hungry too
And everyone was wondering
What was the next thing he would do

And the preacher he kept preaching
He said now I'll remind you if I may
You all better pay attention
Or I might decide to preach all day

And now everyone was getting so hungry
And the old ones started feeling ill
And the weak ones started passing out
And the young ones they could not sit still

And the preacher's voice rose higher
So I snuck up to the balcony
And I crept into the choir
And I begged them brothers, sisters, help me please

I said when I give you a signal
I said when I raise up my hands
Won't you please join with me together
And praise the Lord I have a plan

And the preacher he kept preaching
Long is the struggle, hard the fight
And I prayed, Father please forgive me
And then I stood up and with all my might
I sang

To the Lord let praises be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat
We've got some beans and some good cornbread
And I listened to what the preacher said
Now it's to the Lord let praises be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat

Yes and I did give a signal
Yes and I raised up my hands
And then joined with me the choir
Yes every woman, child, and man
They sang

To the Lord let praises be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat
We've got some beans and some good cornbread
And I've listened to what the preacher said
Now it's to the Lord let praises be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat

And the preacher he stopped preaching
And a hush the church did fill
And then a great white dove from up above
Landed on the window sill

And the dove flew down beside him
And a fork appeared right in his hand
And with everybody watching
The preacher ate that bird right there and then

And now everyone got really nervous
And the preacher he did start to glow
And as we watched on in disbelief
These were the words he spoke

He said now Mama's in the kitchen
And she's been there all day
I know she's cooking something good
So let's bow our heads and pray
And he sang

To the Lord let praises be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat
We've got some beans and some good cornbread
Now listen to what the preacher said
He said to the Lord let praises be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat

And the moral of this story
Children it is plain but true
God knows if a preacher preaches long enough
Even he'll get hungry too
And he'll sing

To the Lord let praises be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat
We've got some beans and some good cornbread
Now listen to what the preacher said

He said to the Lord let praises be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat
We've got some beans and some good cornbread
Now listen to what the preacher said

He said to the Lord let praises be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat
We've got some beans and some good cornbread
Now listen to what the preacher said

He said to the Lord let praises be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat
We've got some beans and some good cornbread
Now listen to what the preacher said

He said to the Lord let praises be
It's time for dinner now let's go eat
We've got some beans and some good cornbread
Now listen to what the preach er said
Comments (80)add comment
~~Amen
Posted 5 years ago by surfrider4life    [ Reply ]
Lyle Lovett, uglier that a bad road in deepest summer (sorry Lyle) but a sweet example, and the proof, that Texas ain't all about oil rigs, Ted Cruz and the right to shoot your neighbor if he/she looks at you wrong.  Well....Texas has THAT, yes indeed.  But it ain't all about that. 

I'd like to think that 'ol Lyle represents the majority of the Texan sentiment.  Articulate in a western fashion, self-deprecating in a humorous sort of way, and with a "Yes, I'm all that and still, I even got the girl for a time didn't I?" sensibility.  

Yes, yes you did there Lyle...though such an odd-ball marriage (to Julia Roberts) was just bound not to last.  But I trust it was good while it lasted?  So keep on keeping on there son, you're doing quite well for yourself regardless.  And can I get an amen to that....?

Highlow
American Net'Zen
Posted 5 years ago by Highlowsel    [ Reply ]
Heard John Hiatt an hour or so ago, now Lyle... and we'll be at a John/Lyle show tomorrow... Hmm.
Posted 5 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
Lyle's church is only a few miles from my store. One of my former employees grow up in that church.
Posted 5 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
LL is a National Treasure. Thank you.
Posted 6 years ago by GGAlex    [ Reply ]
That church is 2 miles from here - Klein, Texas
Posted 13 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
so funny to hear this while hungry and working to beat a deadline!  :(
Posted 13 years ago by ziggytrix    [ Reply ]
He puts on a great live show. 
Posted 13 years ago by martinc    [ Reply ]
Not my favorite song from this live album (that would be "If I Had a Boat")...but...I did get to see Lyle and his large band in San Antonio shortly after this album was recorded.  Fantastic!
Posted 13 years ago by efaulkjr    [ Reply ]
Lord, we know without a doubt you'll bless this food, as we pig out!  {#Hungry}

Posted 13 years ago by rjewyo    [ Reply ]
I always love this song - church sermons are long and usually boring. I like to think he's singing from the viewpoint of a kid. Time to pray, now let's go eat.

Dunno about anyone else, but back in the day, I attended a few pretty brutal and long sermons, and before noon, my stomach was growling. And we were never offered food. Not even that wafer or the grape juice that apparently was supposed to fool God into thinking it was wine.

I love Lovett's take on this.  I sorta love my own take on it better, but then, I'm my own excuse for being.{#Lol}

Guh - two weeks past my bedtime, but since I'm not working, I have no schedule, so any hour is the right hour for anything....
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 leathepea wrote:
{#Stupid}{#Stupid}{#Stupid}{#Stupid}

WTF! He's singing about being hungry in church.......who cares.
 

Here's a few words you might look up leathepea: symbolism, metaphor, allegory, sarcasm, and satire. One or more of them apply to most anything Lyle writes. And Randy Newman, and Bob Dylan, and John Lennon, and....ummmm. Do you think EVERY song is literal?
Posted 14 years ago by copymonkey    [ Reply ]
just don't like it, I think the little puking {#Puke}guy says it all

Posted 14 years ago by sickels    [ Reply ]
 a_genuine_find wrote:
To each his/her own, enjoy it, this song sure is long
 
Evidently, you've never done Baptist...{#Lol}

Posted 14 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Lol — apparently even God knows how to filibuster.
Posted 14 years ago by nerakdon    [ Reply ]
 MsfStl wrote:
@ a_genuine_find...you suck....this song is a great song to just crank on a good stereo system, seriously! It has so much range, depth. texture and movement. Lyle paints colors with his music.  If you don't care for it, that is fine, to each his own, but your attitude could use a little church!  Your negativity and anyone else's, casts a pall similar to walking on the beach and blindly stepping on an oil tar ball from BP's massive spill. It just dirties the experience. Perhaps, you should go to a local Kaffe house grab some "kind" to ease your sickness. Good day.
{#Devil_pimp}

 a_genuine_find wrote:
This SUCKS {#Puke}
 
 

To each his/her own, enjoy it, this song sure is long
Posted 14 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
 themotion wrote:

I'm not a huge fan ... but 'boring'? Are you hearing all that is going on in this song?
 
'Sactly.
Posted 14 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
 jenntenn wrote:
I'd travel 100 miles to watch Lyle read a phone book. Saw him the night he married Julia. Now THAT was a wonderful concert.
 
Sticky clicker?
Posted 14 years ago by michaelgmitchell    [ Reply ]
Beans & Cornbread! Beans & Cornbread!

https://www.comedycentral.com/tosh.0/2010/07/29/web-redemption-worst-comedian-ever/ 

Posted 14 years ago by Rachoh    [ Reply ]
@ a_genuine_find...you suck....this song is a great song to just crank on a good stereo system, seriously! It has so much range, depth. texture and movement. Lyle paints colors with his music.  If you don't care for it, that is fine, to each his own, but your attitude could use a little church!  Your negativity and anyone else's, casts a pall similar to walking on the beach and blindly stepping on an oil tar ball from BP's massive spill. It just dirties the experience. Perhaps, you should go to a local Kaffe house grab some "kind" to ease your sickness. Good day.
{#Devil_pimp}

 a_genuine_find wrote:
This SUCKS {#Puke}
 


Posted 14 years ago by MsfStl    [ Reply ]
mmm, cornbread!
Posted 14 years ago by anabel    [ Reply ]
Just a little too fast.

Posted 14 years ago by ScottFromWyoming    [ Reply ]
 Pyro wrote:
Ani DeFranco opened for Lyle and his large band when I caught the tour.  FUN concert!!  And Francine Reid singing "gospel" on tour was unbelievable!
 
I've seen him a few times. Keb Mo opened for him once, he was great. Francine Reed was kickin' it out both pants legs too.

$.25 to maryte

Posted 14 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
Lyle Lovett is rather amazing.  One needs to listen closely to his lyrics, because his music is misleadingly simple sometimes. I love his stuff.  My dad once said, "He's ugly as a wet mud fence plastered with frogs."  Kinda true, but get past his looks and you'll hear brilliance.{#Yes}
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]

Lyle Lovett Live

Now, how about playing "Keep it in your Pantry"...

Posted 14 years ago by bseib    [ Reply ]
I'd travel 100 miles to watch Lyle read a phone book. Saw him the night he married Julia. Now THAT was a wonderful concert.
Posted 14 years ago by jenntenn    [ Reply ]
None of this please.

Posted 14 years ago by x3n0b07    [ Reply ]
 Papernapkin wrote:
I really want to like this guy, but his songs are, well, boring. He seems like a decent guy though.
 
I'm not a huge fan ... but 'boring'? Are you hearing all that is going on in this song?
Posted 15 years ago by themotion    [ Reply ]
"I'm not talking about hate; I'm talking about eight! Dinner at eight!"  "Hot dog!"
Posted 15 years ago by NickDanger    [ Reply ]
Ani DeFranco opened for Lyle and his large band when I caught the tour.  FUN concert!!  And Francine Reid singing "gospel" on tour was unbelievable!


Posted 15 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Good song, unfortunately the best song on this CD is "North Dakota" which I uploaded... and it got rejected!  This CD is nothing short of excellent, from the songs to the George Massenburg production.  Not having "North Dakota" in the library is just a sin.  Bill and Rebecca, if you see this, I think you need to give it a fresh listen... it doesn't make sense not to have it here.  
Posted 15 years ago by mfassett    [ Reply ]
I really want to like this guy, but his songs are, well, boring. He seems like a decent guy though.
Posted 15 years ago by Papernapkin    [ Reply ]
This SUCKS {#Puke}
Posted 15 years ago by a_genuine_find    [ Reply ]
 aeryn wrote:
I loved this song as a kid, I thought it was such a funny story!
 
Holy crap, it's scary to me to think that someone would say "I loved this as a kid" like it's ancient history.Wow.

Posted 16 years ago by RobRyan    [ Reply ]
I loved this song as a kid, I thought it was such a funny story!
Posted 16 years ago by aeryn    [ Reply ]
 ruthless wrote:
Being a Southern Gurl, I may have more of an appreciation for this. Love it though ya'll!!
He is very impressive in his live shows that I have seen.
 
Word! He's amazing live. His Large Band is awesome, he brings out various pieces for various songs. Last time I saw him (last summer) it was at the Greek Theater with K.D. Lang on first. Just outstanding. I wonder if Nuggler likes him?

Posted 16 years ago by RobRyan    [ Reply ]
Very classy.
Posted 16 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
 jwb wrote:

It's funny.  What's hard to understand about a little humor?  He also sings songs about his truck, and they are also not very serious.

 
Sorry, can't relate. I don't go to church, let alone stay there till your bloodsugar gets so low that you feel like your going to passout. I get that he is making a joke, just don't think its very funny. Maybe I would prefer his truck mocking songs, don't know.
Posted 16 years ago by leathepea    [ Reply ]
 maryte wrote:
Ahh!  Nothing like a bit o' Lyle for some soulful chair dancing! 

 

and whataya know, he's gonna be in Austin in a week.
Posted 16 years ago by BillJ    [ Reply ]
 leathepea wrote:
{#Stupid}{#Stupid}{#Stupid}{#Stupid}

WTF! He's singing about being hungry in church.......who cares.

 
It's funny.  What's hard to understand about a little humor?  He also sings songs about his truck, and they are also not very serious.

Posted 16 years ago by jwb    [ Reply ]
i like lyle lovett and i don't like country.  i like some church music, but not all of lyle's music is church music!  there are my two cents about lyle and country and church {#Smile}
Posted 16 years ago by phillips    [ Reply ]
 DELTA__9__FOOLS wrote:
Ick, religious music. 

 
 hey.  i'm "recovered," and i still like it!   {#Dance}  lunchtime!


Posted 16 years ago by nicolaluna    [ Reply ]
{#Stupid}{#Stupid}{#Stupid}{#Stupid}

WTF! He's singing about being hungry in church.......who cares.
Posted 16 years ago by leathepea    [ Reply ]
And a fork appeared right in his hand!  This is just as good as the studio version.
Posted 16 years ago by jwb    [ Reply ]
Ahh!  Nothing like a bit o' Lyle for some soulful chair dancing! 
Posted 16 years ago by maryte    [ Reply ]
Ick, religious music. 
Posted 16 years ago by DELTA__9__FOOLS    [ Reply ]
gatsby169 wrote:
People who claim they don't like country at all have never listened to Lyle. I love this song.
I have listened to this track. I think it is harmless and unremarkable. I don't claim not to like country music. I don't like country music.
Posted 16 years ago by Paul_in_Australia    [ Reply ]
I'm not a country music fan, but I love Lyle. He's so funny.
Posted 16 years ago by Austin2Florida    [ Reply ]
Lyle = fellow Texas Aggie
Posted 16 years ago by TexasAggies    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by lingchih    [ Reply ]
Thanks for playing a local boy. Klein, Texas' biggest star. Lives right down the road from the our store. He went to Klein High School - a half a mile away down the other way.
Posted 16 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
redtex wrote:
It's good to have Lyle back, especially when singing this tune! And Jack-Jeff, if you're ever down this way I can take you. There's a small church south of Livingston, in Coldspring, deep in east Tx, that is welcoming to visitors.
Is there some good food? If so, I'll be there. "I'd rather eat good food than bad food any old day." -Don Knotts as Luther Haig in 'Ghost and Mr. Chicken'
Posted 16 years ago by Jack_Jefferson    [ Reply ]
"We got some beans and some good cornbread" As a girl from the South no longer living there, that is making my mouth water something fierce...
Posted 16 years ago by starlisa13    [ Reply ]
This is horrible! Corn Bread? WTF?
Posted 16 years ago by pattiecovert    [ Reply ]
I love Lyle. I have to admit he sounds well practiced in this version, like he has sung it a thousand times.
Posted 16 years ago by Geecheeboy    [ Reply ]
People who claim they don't like country at all have never listened to Lyle. I love this song.
Posted 16 years ago by gatsby169    [ Reply ]
Fantastic live album. Highly recommend it. If I Had a Boat is one of my all time favorites.
Posted 16 years ago by HokieRider    [ Reply ]
First time for Lyle, that was great!!
Posted 16 years ago by tiare    [ Reply ]
It's good to have Lyle back, especially when singing this tune! And Jack-Jeff, if you're ever down this way I can take you. There's a small church south of Livingston, in Coldspring, deep in east Tx, that is welcoming to visitors.
Posted 16 years ago by redtex    [ Reply ]
Songs like this make me wish I belonged to a Baptist church with great music and great food. "If the preacher preaches long enough, even he'll get hungry too." So true. so true.
Posted 16 years ago by Jack_Jefferson    [ Reply ]
This is a silly little song....
Posted 18 years ago by KMH    [ Reply ]
Yeeeeeesssss!!! This is one of the best live albums I've ever heard. If you've never listened to Lyle and are looking to find out what he's all about, I highly recommend this album. Thank you for playing Lyle!
Posted 18 years ago by BKardon    [ Reply ]
Hallalujah, and pass the chicken....
Posted 18 years ago by Kagin    [ Reply ]
Being a Southern Gurl, I may have more of an appreciation for this. Love it though ya'll!! He is very impressive in his live shows that I have seen.
Posted 18 years ago by ruthless    [ Reply ]
A man eternally underrated, I think - lumped in alongside Garth Brooks by those who don't know better. But this is soulful, man. I have to get my copy of the CD from home and upload 'Penguins.'
Posted 18 years ago by TJOpootertoot    [ Reply ]
Even better live. The Large Band is amazing!!!!
Posted 18 years ago by Pipes    [ Reply ]
ardent_supperter wrote:
Lyle Lovett is high-purity Country & Western...
Not so. This particular number is more gospel than C&W. At any rate, let this be a lesson to you: Never dismiss a genre of music. There's good quality stuff to be found in every department of the record store.
Posted 18 years ago by hcaudill    [ Reply ]
Lyle Lovett always brings something to the table. Tasty.
Posted 18 years ago by lester    [ Reply ]
Yeah this is pretty funny, "ate the bird right then."
Posted 18 years ago by Ender43    [ Reply ]
Zweiblumen wrote:
I moved from Boston to Texas about a year ago, and I can't tell you how tired I already am of country music....but as much as it pains me, I have to say that this song is actually pretty fun to listen to. But if I hear that Dixie Chicks cover of Landslide or Faith Hill's Piece of My Heart again I may have to shoot myself.
Ahhh... I see the problem. You are in College Station. Dude, drive west, come to Austin. C'mon in, the music's fine.
Posted 18 years ago by Buzzardcheater    [ Reply ]
Posted 21 years ago by Notelrac    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by 10th_rock: I dare anyone not to tap they're feet.....
amen, even members of the congregation who might head for the door at the concept Lyle Lovett Gospel the sheer excellence of the individual selections on RP consistently shatters preconceptions
Posted 21 years ago by philarktos    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Zweiblumen: ...I can't tell you how tired I already am of country music....but as much as it pains me, I have to say that this song is actually pretty fun to listen to.
Amen, brother. Lyle Lovett is high-purity Country & Western, which I generally dislike strongly, but I love ALL of Lyle's stuff. Can't explain it. Maybe it's not the genre, but the other C&W .artists that suck.
Posted 21 years ago by ardent_supperter    [ Reply ]
I dare anyone not to tap they\'re feet.....
Posted 21 years ago by 10th_rock    [ Reply ]
(pimp)
Posted 21 years ago by Pipes    [ Reply ]
Great track off a *phenomenal* live album.
Posted 21 years ago by cyto    [ Reply ]
I moved from Boston to Texas about a year ago, and I can\'t tell you how tired I already am of country music....but as much as it pains me, I have to say that this song is actually pretty fun to listen to. But if I hear that Dixie Chicks cover of Landslide or Faith Hill\'s Piece of My Heart again I may have to shoot myself.
Posted 21 years ago by Zweiblumen    [ Reply ]