Who remembers this song?

[jaybee]

I heard a "quote" today of part of a song attributed to Harlan Howard (or Howard Harlan) that went something like: #"God may love you, but I don't; Jesus may forgive you but I won't...." #Anyone know this and where I might find the song?

[SeanFan]

hmmm...No, I don't recognize this song.

[Don]

That sounds like one of the songs on one of Iris Dement's albums.Can't remember which one,but I think they are all fine albums so just buy all three:)

[Dennis Schubert]

GOD MAY FORGIVE YOU (BUT I WON'T) (Harlan Howard/Bobby Braddock)

© 19xx Tree Publishing Co. (BMI)
[b-side to the `Our Town' CD single]

You say that you're born again
cleansed of your former sins
You want me to say "I forgive and forget"
But you've done too much to me
Don't you be touching me,
go back and touch all those women you've made

Chorus:
'cause God may forgive you, but I won't
Yes, Jesus loves you, but I don't
They don't have to live with you and neither do I
You say that you're born again, well so am I
God may forgive you, but I won't
and I won't even try

Well, the kids had to cry for you
I had to try to do
things that the Dad should do
since you've been gone
Well, you really let us down
You may be Heaven 'bound
but you've left one hell of a mess here at home

(chorus)
and I won't even try

[jaybee]

Thanks Ironweed.

[SteveW]

Interesting -- at first I thought you were referring to the Lyle Lovett song "God Will," which describes a litany of the things the subject of the song has done wrong, saying that God may forgive all those bad things, then the chorus goes, "Well God will, but I won't. That's the difference between God and me."

I wonder if Lyle had this other song in his head when he wrote his song?

[Moose]

Thanks, ironweed.. ; ah!.., the songwriting "genius" of Harlan Howard. (Just ask Buck Owens.., for one). http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[peterbc]

Those're great lyrics... Any recordings of it? I'd love to hear it.