It may be the blood of the lamb washes
away sins but I’ve heard too many
testimonies where the details of the sins
were stated with an outlaw pride
and sense of regret for days gone by.
There’s something about singing honkey-tonk
in a honkey-tonk that can’t stay out
of hymns, gospel music an equivalent
to smoke-filled rooms, the low growl
of a bass, the moan of piano keys,
the liquid voices of barroom angels.
The power of love that changes the world.
No, I’ve heard and seen too many testimonies
end in “praise God” uncertain what
the praise was for.
-Byron Hoot
