Early Church on Saturday – ‘Lightning’ strikes! [MUSIC, VIDEO & more]

Even if you've seen Eric Church perform LIVE a few times,chances are this song was NOT on his play list.

He seems to save this song for very special occasions, but I can honestly say I have no idea as to what criteria he uses when he dusts it off and performs it LIVE! I've seen Eric perform LIVE 16 times since July 2006 and he's only played it 3 times that I can recall. Once in a rural corn field setting somewhere in south-central Iowa. Once at the legendary Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, IA, and most recently at his sold-out 2014 Target Center performance. No co-writes on this one. It's all his.
So it's with the above preface that I present WEEK #7 of my weekly web feature detailing the early years of Eric Church. Let me be your weekly guide to NEW MUSIC that really isn’t new, but just plain & simply, kicks ass! -Steve Richards

This week, it's 'Lightning', track 8 from 'Sinners' ('Sinners Like Me')

[WATCH VIDEO BELOW]

'Lightning' - Lyrics

These four walls of Farnworth
Are closin' in on me
My final meal's over
They're gonna set me free
I can feel the fire's a burnin'
As the devil guards my door
I hit my knees in search of Jesus
On a cold jailhouse floor

[Chorus:]
Lord, now I'm singin':
"Get me out of here"
I see the preacher's eyes
As my daughter cries
When they strap me in this chair
Lord, I hope she forgives me
For livin' my life this way
Tonight I ride the lightning
To my final judgment day

Every life owes a death
That's what the Bible says
I owe mine to this state
For shootin' that boy to death
A liquor store attendant
He was reachin' for his gun
Now his Momma sits there smilin'
As the boss yells "Roll on one

Now I'm singin'
"Get me out of here"
I see the preacher's eyes
As my daughter cries
And they strap me in this chair
I hope she forgives me
For leavin' her this way
Tonight I ride the lightning
To my final restin' place

A hungry blue eyed baby cryin'
Made me rob that store
An' as that boy lay there dyin'
I dropped my pistol on the floor
Yeah, I'd take it all back but there's nothin' I can do
They've covered my face
An' the order's gone through
As the boss yells "Roll on, two"

Now I'm flyin'
Up an' out of here
I close my eyes an' slowly rise
Let my body leave this chair
Lord I hope you forgive me
For livin' my life this way
Yeah, tonight I ride the lightning
To my final restin' place

These four walls of Farnworth
Are closin' in on me