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From WWR

Trivia, story behind the song, etc.

There are only two cover songs on this album, and they’re both written by Eric Taylor. I guess I must think a lot of that guy. One time, I visited Eric at his home near Columbus, Texas, and I got out of my rental car with big suitcases in both hands. As I reached the gate and clumsily entered, two big dogs charged towards me, barking and snarling. I was concerned. Then the screen door slammed and Eric shouted from the porch, “Dogs, get down!” They did. Then he shouted, “Peter, don’t be tentative around those dogs. Don’t be tentative about anything… (expletive) ever!” I live my life by that quote, along with one by Flava Flav (“Oh well, Operation Nothing I Can Do About It Now is now in effect.”). Nanci Griffith is Eric’s ex-wife and current friend, and it was through her that I first heard his songs. It was a thrill for me to have Nanci, Todd Snider and Fayssoux join me on “Mission Door.” It’s a hard life, singing your favorite song with your favorite singers. By the way, Lloyd Green plays Dobro on this, and it’s the exact same Dobro he used on Don Williams’ recording of “Amanda.” So, take that.

Lyrics

(Eric Taylor) Blue Ruby Music/Universal Songs, Inc./BMI

Through the mission door
Winos sing hymns for their supper
Blind Sally talks back to the preacher, she says
She can’t tell one sin from the other, no 

So it’s hands on the Bible and tears in your eyes
Kneel on the corner, pray for more wine
Well it’s beans and it’s bread, it’s a small price to pay
To hold hands and go dancing
Hands and go dancing
Hands and go dancing
On the old Devil’s grave 

Well, the night falls through the mission door
You get a cot with a blanket, don’t you spit on the floor
And Sister Theresa, she’s friends with the Lord
So no smokin’ in bed, no sleepin’ late in the morning 

And it’s hands on the Bible and tears in your eyes
Kneel on the corner, pray for more wine
Well it’s beans and it’s bread, it’s a small price to pay
To hold hands and go dancing
Hands and go dancing
Hands and go dancing
On the old Devil’s grave 

Hey now, look, comin’ through that mission door
It’s Tokay Sam and his best friend, Dollar Bill Hines
I ain’t really a preacher, I’m Tommy the Frenchman
I like Lucky Strikes, Jesus and Wine 

So it’s hands on the Bible and tears in your eyes
Kneel on the corner, pray for more wine
Well it’s beans and it’s bread, it’s a small price to pay
To hold hands and go dancing
Hands and go dancing
Hands and go dancing
On the old Devil’s grave 

When you leave out through the mission door
If you got any money, you better keep it down in your shoes
‘Cause every hard luck story from Houston to Hell
Ain’t worth 25 cents towards huggin’ the moon 

So it’s hands on the Bible and tears in your eyes
Kneel on the corner, pray for more wine
Well it’s beans and it’s bread, it’s a small price to pay
To hold hands and go dancing
Hands and go dancing
Hands and go dancing
On the old Devil’s grave 

We’ll hold hands and go dancing
Hands and go dancing
Hands and go dancing on the old Devil’s grave 

Listener comments about Mission Door (135385)

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