An Old Convention Song

We used to come from miles around
And have dinner on the ground
Underneath those old shade trees
And sing the old songs in shape-notes
In four-part harmony
Like "He Set Me Free" and "Get Right with Me"
And "Anywhere is Home"
How long has it been
Since you heard an old convention song?

How long (how long) has it been (has it been)
Since you heard "After A While"?
How long (how long) since you heard (since you heard)
"Give the World a Smile"?
How long (how long) since you heard (since you heard)
"I'm Winging My Way Back Home"
How long (how long) has it been (has it been)
Since you heard an old convention song?

Gospel songs today have a lot to say
They lift you up when you're feeling down
Some have a country flavor, some have a modern sound
They all serve the need of planting seeds, so I guess they can't go wrong
But there's none so dear as when I hear an old convention song.

I still (I still) love to hear (love to hear)
Those old convention songs
That I heard (that I heard) as a child (as a child)
When we sang them all day long
Like "I'm A-Gonna Walk" and "Just a Little Talk"
And "All the day long"
How long (how long) has it been (has it been)
Since you heard an old convention song

How long (how long) has it been (has it been)
Since you heard "After A While"?
How long (how long) since you heard (since you heard)
"Give the World a Smile"?
How long (how long) since you heard (since you heard)
"I'm Winging My Way Back Home"
How long (how long) has it been (has it been)
Since you heard an old convention song?

How long (how long) has it been (has it been)
Since you heard an old convention song