Belt Buckles And Bibles Poem by George Wallace

Johnny Chisholm wandered clear across the high prairie
selling bibles & belt buckles it was a long time ago &no
he was not a preaching man no sir just a fella like you
or me trying to make his way through this lonesome
world do a service to society & feed a family besides -

but hell's bells could that boy sell! six months into that
little operation of his the sun rose & fell on Johnny Chisholm's
buckles it danced from belt to belt across the high prairie
to the state line in fine or stormy weather -

one time he sold a half a dozen bibles to some chickens
& soon after that that there was a rebirth of faith & decent
expectations in every town & crossroads -the commutation
of naked souls was back on the table because as we all know
there's only two things a man needs if he aims to please his wife
& maintain his dignity -

a belt buckle & a bible - & anyhow whether you agree
with what Johnny Chisholm was selling or not it just didn't
seem to pay no mind to the people of this state -a healthy
dose of free enterprise & an ample supply of natural charm
was all we ever needed or was looking for

& ever since that boy walked out into this world the farmers
& cattlemen, the bankers & townfolk of this great land has had
two things they can agree on stand up for praise on Sunday &
hang their hats on -not to mention keep their britches up with
in a dog fight or during a state or local election -

& that's bibles & belt buckles