When I Die by Buddy Greene

Minstrel of the Lord by Buddy Greene

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When I Die
by Buddy Greene

Album: Minstrel of the Lord

Charlie was a righteous man, he was saved by the blood of the Lamb
And he loved this life but he longed for a better land
And the older and wiser he got, the more he would place his lot
On the things unseen and the hope of a heavenly plan

Now, Charlie had a faithful wife, a few kids and a pretty good life
And a pretty good sense that he didn't have a very long time
And Charlie got sick and he never got well.
But Charlie was ready and able to tell
His grieving family the last thing on his mind. He said,

Chorus:

"When I die you can put me in a box and bury my bones wherever you please
You can cry and wail but it aint' gonna bother me
'Cause (Charlie and I) I'll be a long-time gone to a bright and happy home
Celebrating and singin and worshipping 'round my heavenly Father's throne
Celebrating and singin and worshipping 'round my heavenly Father's throne."

Now the sky was cold and gray at the funeral home that day
And the friends and family gathered from far and wide
And they all stood by Charlie's grave and they listened to the message the preacher gave
And thought it was over when up stood Charlie's bride

She said, "I'm sure glad to see you all here 'cause Charlie held you all so dear
And he wants to see you all in heaven when it comes your time
So if you want to die like Charlie died, you've gotta live like Charlie lived
Loving God and people and longing for the other side."

Now the tears and the silence and the cold and rain were not gonna have their way
'Cause the hope of the resurrection was ringing through all she had to say
And her love for Charlie and Jesus filled her heart in a woundrous way
And the joy of the Lord spilled out of that child

As everybody heard her say (she said...)

Repeat Chorus