George and Vestal ...

That's Jones and Goodman to you, bucko!

It's 3:39 a.m., and I'm stuffed (on Keebler's Fudge Shoppe Deluxe Grahams) and I'm wide awake ... and I'm listening to an old gospel standard, "Angel Band," sung by George Jones (fresh back on stage from a bad car wreck) and the only person who could coax him back to the stage -- Miss Vestal Goodman. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG00pby2bq0

" Oh bear me away on your snowy wings to my immortal home ..." What the hell?

Yet I'm digging it! I've just played it over for the fourth time. Starts out with that steel guitar introduction then Vestal's contralto takes the stage. Strong as an ox, old as Methuslah, and, oh yes, dead as a doorknob ... well, not when she sang the duet.

Vestal sings a verse then takes a backseat to the Ol' Possum himself.

"I've almost gained my heavenly home, my spirit loudly sings.
The Holy ones behold they come, I hear the noise of wings.

"Oh bear my longing heart to Him who bled and died for me,
Whose blood now cleanses from all sin and gives me victory.

"Oh come, angel band, come and around me stand,
Oh bear me away on your snowy wings to my immortal home!
Oh bear me away on your snowy wings, to my immortal home."

This is the real thing, or "thang," as it were.

Back in the late 80s, when I was at SMU, going to graduate school, I'd go to a beerbust every Sunday at Throckmorton Mining Co., a "happy" bar in Dallas, Texas. Every Sunday, at 5 p.m., they'd play the Happy Goodman Family version of "Lookin' for a City." it was hilarious hearing all these Texas cowgirls belting out Southern gospel music. Here's a link to the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf8f32cDAXA

I consider it one of the magic moments ( for those who are world-weary) that you didn't know existed until it happened.