[Verse 1]
We were white and they were black
And our lives, they were divided by the railroad tracks
But we'd meet up every mornin' at that river bend
It's where I learned about Jesus from my only black friend
And sometimes we'd sit and stare up at the sky
I could see the hope of heaven in his eyes

[Chorus]
In the land where the cotton grows
In a time when change camе slow
Just beyond the point of no return
A whitе boy and a black old man
On the tracks walkin' hand in hand
That's where I come to understand and learn
Where the cross don't burn

[Verse 2: Garth Brooks & Charley Pride]
He'd tell me, "Money doesn't matter, nor the color of your skin
You can stumble, even fall, and still get up again
'Cause it ain't about the deeds, good or bad that we have done
All we have to do is love to be disciples of the Son"
And we'd join hands and bow our heads to pray
And he told me that he loved me every day

[Chorus]
In the land where the cotton grows
In a time when change came slow
Just beyond the point of no return
A white boy and a black old man
On the tracks walkin' hand in hand
That's where I come to understand and learn
Where the cross don't burn
[Bridge]
Yeah, we're all gathered here this mornin' at this river bend
To say our last goodbyes to my very best friend
As his ashes slowly float away
We know it's only 'til we meet again someday

[Chorus]
In the land where the cotton grows
In a time when change came slow
Just beyond the point of no return
A young boy and a kind old man
On the tracks walkin' hand in hand
That's where I come to understand and learn
Where the cross don't burn