Legend Of The Big Steeple

Porter Wagoner · Thin Man From the West Plains (Bear Family) [1993]

(Charles Underwood)



There's a legend about a church in our town

The steeple so high seen for miles around

Look on the hill and you'll realize

The steeple's too big for the churches size.



It seemes it was a long time ago

When this church had no steeple

Just four walls and the roof overhead

Sheltered the humble people.



But the money was short cause the times were bad

They had to get along on what they had

Just good simple people praying for a steeple.



About this time when spring was near

A man of weath and his sweetheart dear

Made their plans for the bells to ring

They would wed on the first of spring.



So this man of wealth and his true love dear

Named the wedding hours

They would wed in the little church

The one that had no towers.



But he was the kind and generous man

He told his true love of his plan

How to build a steeple for these good people.



Yes, they'll have their steeple

The bells there will ring

They'll ring for our wedding

On the first day of spring.



But they say death comes like a thief

And soon his heart was filled with grief

One week before the wedding day

He learned his love had passed away.



Inspite of his grief and broken heart

He kept the promise given

I'll build the steeple so my love

Can hear the bells in heaven.



And then he built the steeple there

The tallest one in all the land

That's how the people got their steeple.



Well, that is the reason

The steeple lives so high

And why the bells ring louder

When springtime is neigh...