Preachin' Prayin' Singin'
by E.C. "Mac" McCarty
"My late husband was with the United States Forest Service. He started out as a surveyor in 1933 and stayed with them until his death in 1962. Music was his hobby. When he died he was with land and Law, traveling a great deal for them, going from court to court settling claims. On one of his trips he was passing through McKee, Kentucky, the county seat of Laurel County, and he saw an old-time camp meeting going on at the courthouse square. They were singing, and praying, and hollering, and he stopped and listened a while. That was the inspiration for this song, and he came home and wrote it."
—Nora (Mrs. E.C.) McCarty
Preachin' Prayin' Singin'
Preachin' prayin' singin'
everywhere
shouting their praises of his loving care
All of God's children seem to gather there
Preachin' prayin' singin' down on the public square
I was a stranger there intent upon my way
But when I saw the crowd I had the urge to stay
I heard a welcome voice biddin' me come and share
Their preachin' prayin' singin' down on the public
square
Preachin' prayin' singin' everywhere...
I felt so much at home amid this happy throng
That came from far and near to praise his name in song
To lay their burdens down forget their every care
And have an old time meeting down on the public square
Preachin' prayin' singin' everywhere...
Now as I journey on and think back on the day
I am convinced within these folks have found the way
To put their hearts in song just pray an earnest prayer
And leave the joy bells ringin' down on the public
square
Preachin' prayin' singin' everywhere...
