Revival

Revival

I'd read all the posters
Bout the traveling preacher
He'd put Moses to shame
a real biblical teacher.

They'd spent that hot day
?'Neath blistering rays
Erecting white tents
In a heat-induced haze.

The air hung so heavy
Like a moist solid curtain
The twilight glowed crimson
Each breath seemed uncertain.

The women came first
Dressed in hats, gloves and heels
Like a vision emerging
from out of the fields.

But soon the men followed
in white shirts and black pants
The whole town had turned out
For this holiness dance.

It was standing room only
They'd filled up all the chairs
They stood waiting for glory
and transcendence through prayer.

Then he took the stage
He was thunder and lightening
Black Bible in hand
Fevered eyes that were frightening.

He stalked back and forth
He cajoled and he pled
He reminded us sinners
Christ had suffered and bled.

And when he was finished
His voice raspy and hoarse
We sang Old Rugged Cross
Line, verse and chorus.

The people came forward
Bent on Rededicating
And he laid on hands
Bent on Remedicating.

There was singing and dancing
The whole crowd was on fire
Sweet soul-searing ecstacy
Took them higher and higher.

As the black night descended
Hands waved neath the stars
Until midnight beckoned
And they returned to their cars

To make the drive home
Where they'd lie in their beds
Spent, with visions of heaven
Freshly etched in their heads.

Meanwhile neath the white tent
The prophet stood alone
Dreaming of a hot meal.
Dreaming of a home.

He was tired it -it was late
And the wind was picking up
So he bowed his weary head
And walked slowly toward his truck.

And in the velvet darkness
He heard singing, soft and low
And he spied him an angel
On the hood of his Durango.

She sang "Just As I Am"
and she looked him in the eye.
And he said, "The Lord gives many gifts-
Who am I to deny?"

And then he shook his head
And he said, "Satan, get behind me."
And she recommenced the preaching
saying, "Love will set you free."

So he said, "You got those bright eyes
And a million watt smile
Your daddy's quick brain
And your mama's nice style

But it won't do you no good
Lest you get yourself saved
Submit to the Lord
Turn away from the depraved."

And the battle raged within him
And he waged a mighty fight
And in the end he reigned supreme
That dark and lonely night.

He was a true prophet,
He was something worth seeing
Nothing less than a miracle
something true to believe in