“The only thing I would change is remove any mention of the denomination and anonymize it.”
I’m mentioning no denomination. Coincidentally, I don’t follow any particular denomination. The Catholic Church goes wobbly on abortion, and my family church did so on gay marriage. I don’t have to follow any of them, or their protocols to believe in God. I fondly refer to my church as “The Church Of Don Williams”. This lyric in particular
I don’t believe that heaven waits
For only those who congregate
I like to think of God as love
He’s down below, he’s home above
He’s watching people everywhere
He knows who does and doesn’t care
And I’m an ordinary man
Sometimes I wonder who I am
But I believe in love
I believe in music
I believe in magic
And I believe in you
I wrote that verse from memory. Here are the complete lyrics.
“I don’t believe in superstars
Organic food and foreign cars
I don’t believe the price of gold
The certainty of growing old
That right is right and left is wrong
That north and south can’t get along
That east is east and west is west
And bein’ first is always best.
But I believe in love
I believe in babies
I believe in mom and dad
And I believe in you.
Well, I dont believe that heaven waits
For only those who congregate
I’d like to think of God as love
He’s down below
He’s up above
He’s watchin’ people everywhere
He knows who does and doesn’t care
And I’m an ordinary man
Sometimes I wonder who I am.
But I believe in love
I believe in music
I believe in magic
And I believe in you.
I know with all my certainty
What’s goin’ on with you and me
Is a good thing
It’s true
I believe in you.
I dont believe virginity
Is as common as it used be
In workin’ days and sleepin’ nights
That black is black and white is white
That Superman and Robinhood
Are still alive in Hollywood
That gasoline’s in short supply
The risin’ cost of gettin’ by
But I believe in love
I believe in old folks
I believe in children
I believe in you.”
Don Williams was great. And those other Williams boys, Hank and Tennessee.