[Verse 1]
A long time ago they put me on a train to Selma, Alabama
And I rode that train all the way to Talla, Talladega
My papa said son you better educate your mind
So he sent me away to a school for the blind
I guess there were good times and I know there were bad
But I never blamed the Lord for the trouble I had

[Chorus]
While they stayed on the gospel side
I stayed on the gospel side, oh

[Verse 2]
Well the teacher there soaked the rope in water overnight
And I was bound to get a whoopin'
If I did wrong, or if I did right
I was lost sometime and now I’m found
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
One night on the radio I heard the Golden Gate Quartet
I started singin' for the Lord and I ain't stopped singin’ yet

[Chorus]
I stayed on the gospel side
I stayed on the gospel side
I seen the sinner and the sanctified
But I stayed on the gospel side
[Bridge]
When my work is done and I'm finally goin' home to see my maker
Nothin' scarin' me in this world no more, not the devil or the undertaker
I'll finally see my father's face
Hold my mother close and feel her grace

[Chorus]
And I just stayed on the gospel side
I stayed on the gospel side
I seen the sinner and the sanctified
Though I stayed on the gospel side
I stayed on the gospel side (I stayed on the gospel side)
(I stayed on the gospel side)
I seen the sinner and the sanctified