A long time ago They put me on a train to Selma, Alabama And I rode that train all the way to Tala, Taladega 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 blame the Lord for the trouble I had Oh while they stayed on the gospel side I stayed on the gospel side ♪ There was a teacher there That soaked a rope in the water overnight And I was bound to get a whippin' If I did it wrong or if I did it 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 singing for the Lord, and I ain't stopped singing yet They stayed on the gospel side I've stayed on the gospel side I've seen the sinner and the sanctified But I've stayed on the gospel side ♪ Well my work is done And I'm finally goin' home to see my maker Nothin' scares me in the 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 And I just stayed on the gospel side I stayed on the gospel side I've seen the sinner and the sanctified Though I stayed on the gospel side (stayed on the gospel side) I stayed on the gospel side (stayed on the gospel side) I've seen the sinner and the sanctified