Tammy Wynette: The Wonders You Perform

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When Tammy and George Jones were married, I sang this song to George and told him I had no earthly idea of anyone that would record it since it was so different from what everyone was doing. Tammy was in another room rolling her hair and overheard it. She came in and asked if I'd sing it again. When I finished singing it she said "If Billy Sherrill", her producer," will let me, I'll sure do it" ...

Tammy was from a Pentecostal background and loved the song. Needless to say she did record it and release it as a single, and on January 23, 1971, it reached Number One in the Nation ... Ornelli Vanoni did an Italian version of the song at the Venice Song Festival and won the Number One place. Her version was released and was in the top ten in the Italian Chart for 16 weeks. Elvis also loved it and was learning it and preparing to record it at the time of his death. 

Tammy recorded several of my songs during her lifetime but this one was really special to her. Whenever she went home, back where she was raised, she would go to church and do it. She recorded many hits. Some bigger than this song but she said it was her favorite of all them ...

- Jerry

Oh Lord you know that I'm not one

To bother you with little things

And you and I have never been too close

But we've always been on speaking terms

I've watched your way of doing things

And tried to understand you more than most

No I haven't gone to church the way I ought to

But I always thought you knew

In my own way I worship you

While even your own children doubt

And fail to understand

The simple way you go about the things you do

I've seen the doubt upon the face 

Of loved ones as they sadly placed

A wreath of flowers on a tiny grave

And wondered why a child is brought

Into the world to only live

A little while and die, You could have saved

But I believe that in your eyes

This little child was something special

And you wanted it to be with you, no doubt

So with outstretched arms you beckoned

It's so simple that I reckon

They can't understand the way you worked it out

Once I saw a young man growing

Till he reached the age of knowing

Then I watched as something happened to his mind

No doctor could correct it

It was just as I suspected

And I marveled at your way of being kind

They tried everything in vain

And I was there when they explained it

To the family how he slipped into a trance

Guess you looked into the future

Watched him turn his back upon you

Loving him so much you couldn't take the chance

It took a lot of love to die

For sinners such as I

I guess that's why you've never given up on me

You understood when some denied you 

Even when they crucified you 

Knowing all things were meant to be

Lord, a stable's such a simple thing

No wonder there were few who came

To see a King the night that you were born

And I'd ask one favor if I can

Help me to better understand

The mystery of The Wonders You Perform

Tag: The mystery of the WONDERS YOU PERFORM

Words and Music by Jerry Chesnut