Down by the banks of the muddy river walked a preacher man and I And he told me words I'll remember until the day I die He said, son, I know you believe heaven is a state of mind That's as may be, but let me tell you, you have to look before you find As it was, is now, and evermore shall be So the good Lord said so long ago As it was, is now, and evermore shall be God Almighty, how I need you so Out at the farm, down below the cross, and Mama watches the day go by As she waits for evening to fall, she wipes her tearful eye For since Papa passed on, you know, she's had to face the world alone And life can be very lonely when the one you love is gone As it was, is now, and evermore shall be So the good Lord said so long ago As it was, is now, and evermore shall be God Almighty, how I need you so Over the ridge I can hear the sound of the riverboat drawing near Dry your eyes and put on your smile, see me to the pier This ain't no place for a gambling man, I think you made it pretty plain So take good care and I will return, soon as I have made my name As it was, is now, and evermore shall be So the good Lord said so long ago As it was, is now, and evermore shall be God Almighty, how I need you so As it was, is now, and evermore shall be So the good Lord said so long ago As it was, is now, and evermore shall be God Almighty, how I need you so