Till the graveyard flowers grow

You wore white like a churchyard moon,

I wore black like I always do.

Mama cried when the preacher said,

“Love is forever, even after death.”

Dust on your boots, rain in your hair,

I knew I'd find you waiting there.

Under the oak where the dead things sleep,

You put your cold little hand in me.

Let the thunder roll, let the devil stare,

I don't give a damn, I'll meet you there.

So marry me beneath the southern sky,

With the cemetery watching as we testify.

If heaven won't have us, hell can take the blame,

I'll carve your initials beside my name.

Through the red clay, through the midnight rain,

I'll love you through the pleasure and the pain.

Till the graveyard flowers grow over our bones,

You won't ever have to die alone.

Your daddy said I was no good,

Mama knew I never could be.

But you kissed me underneath that willow tree,

Like a sinner praying to be free.

Old church bell ringing down the road,

Two black horses pulling slow.

We don't need gold, we don't need a ring,

Just two broken hearts and everything.

Let the shotgun thunder, let the angels fall,

I'll choose you, baby, against them all.

So marry me beneath the southern sky,

With the cemetery watching as we testify.

If heaven won't have us, hell can take the blame,

I'll carve your initials beside my name.

Through the red clay, through the midnight rain,

I'll love you through the pleasure and the pain.

Till the graveyard flowers grow over our bones,

You won't ever have to die alone.

And if I go first, don't you mourn me long,

Put my old boots beside your wedding song.

Come find me where the black creek bends,

I'll be waiting where the dead road ends.

MARRY ME BENEATH THAT SOUTHERN SKY!

LET THE WHOLE DAMN WORLD WATCH US DIE!

IF HELL'S THE ONLY PLACE WE CAN GO,

BABY, I'LL FOLLOW YOU BELOW!

Through the red clay, through the midnight rain,

I'll love you through the pleasure and pain.

Till the graveyard flowers grow over our bones,

YOU'LL NEVER HAVE TO DIE ALONE.

The preacher went home.

The candles burned out.

The cemetery got quiet.

But we never let go.