In "By God," HARDY celebrates rural life as the truest form of closeness to the divine, contrasting it with city living that only pretends to reach Heaven. The repeated image of feet in a river while singing old hymns becomes the heart of the song, a quiet baptism in the everyday. Tomatoes in the garden, unlocked doors, and condensation on a beer all signal trust and contentment. The emotional message is that peace comes not from climbing ladders but from staying grounded in a place that feels handmade by God.
By God Lyrics by HARDY
By God (By God), by God (By God)
By God, what a rock we get to breathe on
That highrise livin’ ain’t closer to Heaven
Than feet in a river, singing Promise Land songs
Good Lord (Good Lord), good Lord (Good Lord)
Wouldn’t catch me dead where the concrete lays
My soul ain’t after me climbing no ladder
This country boy rather live somewhere made by God
Got tomatoes in the garden
Nellybelle parked in the yard
I don’t need no driveway
Couple [?] in the grease
Somebody in a Z goin’
Down the highway
Who the hell needs a bar
When the sun in the sky and the stars
Are puttin’ up a fight?
Condensation on a beer
Sittin’ here feels kinda like I’m sittin’ right
By God (By God), by God (By God)
By God, what a rock we get to breathe on
That highrise livin’ ain’t closer to Heaven
Than feet in a river, singing Promise Land songs
Good Lord (Good Lord), good Lord (Good Lord)
Wouldn’t catch me dead where the concrete lays
My soul ain’t after me climbing no ladder
This country boy rather live somewhere made by God
Only need a couple cops
Everybody keep the doors unlocked
‘Cause there ain’t nobody stealin’
Hell, any time of year, only time you hear
Is when something’s in season
And I ain’t one to judge
But a little dirt’ll make a big difference
‘Cause the rest of the world, they could all stand a lesson
From the people out here livin’ out the words that are written
By God (By God), by God (By God)
By God, what a rock we get to breathe on
That highrise livin’ ain’t closer to Heaven
Than feet in a river, singing Promise Land songs
Good Lord (Good Lord), good Lord (Good Lord)
Wouldn’t catch me dead where the concrete lays
My soul ain’t after me climbing no ladder
This country boy rather live somewhere made by God (Oh, by God)
By God (By God), by God (By God, oh)
By God, what a rock we get to breathe on (Oh, what a rock we get to breathe on)
That highrise livin’ ain’t closer to Heaven (Uh)
Than feet in a river, singing Promise Land songs
Good Lord (Good Lord), good Lord (Good Lord)
Wouldn’t catch me dead where the concrete lays (The concrete lays, oh)
My soul ain’t after me climbing no ladder
This country boy rather live somewhere made by God
