Monday, July 16, 2012

RIP: Kitty Wells - Aug. 30, 1919 - July 16, 2012


Pure country.  She was the first female to have a #1 single on the Country Music Chart, 1952's "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels". It was an "answer" song written in response to a line in Hank Thompson's #1 hit "The Wild Side of Life," which says, "I didn't know God made honky tonk angels." Wells' hit includes the line, "It's a shame that all the blame is on us women," and suggests that for every "fallen" woman there is a man who pushed her there.

But my favorite Kitty Wells song, ever since I first heard it, is a cover of a Hank Williams song called "Dust on the Bible." Just the idea of the song is genius! And Kitty expresses the dismay and sadness -- the shame! -- of the situation perfectly. If you want to hear that perfection, go to YouTube and type in "Kitty Wells Dust on the Bible."  Of the couple versions available there, I prefer the informal one which was recorded live.

Thanks, Kitty, for some great singing in a pure country voice.


I went into a home one day just to see some friends of mine
Of all their books and magazines, not a Bible could I find.
I asked them for the Bible. When they brought it, what a shame!
For the dust was covered o'er it, not a fingerprint was plain.

Chorus
Dust on the Bible, dust on the Holy Word
The words of all the prophets, and the sayings of our Lord.
Of all the other books you'll find, there's none salvation holds
Get the dust off the Bible and redeem your poor soul.
Oh, you can read your magazines of love and tragic things
But not one word of Bible verse, not a scripture do you know.
When it is the very truth, and it's contents good for you.
But it's dust is covered o'er it
And it's sure to doom your poor soul.

Chorus
Dust on the Bible, dust on the Holy Word;
The word of all the prophets, and the sayings of our Lord.
Of all the other books you'll find, there's none salvation holds
Get the dust off the Bible and redeem your poor soul.

Oh, if you have a friend you'd like to help along life's way
Just tell him that the Good Book shows a mortal how to pray
The best advice to give him that will make his burdens light
Is to dust the family bible trades the wrong way for the right

Chorus
Dust on the Bible, dust on the Holy Word
The word of all the prophets, and the sayings of our Lord.
Of all the other books you'll find, there's none salvation holds.
Get the dust off the Bible and redeem your poor soul.




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