Country Music Reclamation Project: Mother, I Saw You With God Last Night

For my Mom, a song that always jumps out and surprises me. I would’ve thought it was corny when she was here, but I don’t any longer.

Mother, I Saw You With God Last Night (performed by Onie Wheeler)
Written by George Sherry and Jean Crowe

Mother, dear sweet precious mother, mother, sweet precious mother,
I saw you with God last night
He was holding to your hand, showin’ you around in the Promised Land
I saw you with God last night

Gonna write two letters to the heaven’s blue, one to God and one to you
I’m a gonna thank him for bein’ so nice to you
I’ve been cryin’ since you went away, but not one tear I’ve shed today
Cause I know now you’re happy up there in the heaven’s blue

Mother, dear sweet precious mother, mother, sweet precious mother,
I saw you with God last night
He was holding to your hand, showin’ you around in the Promised Land
I saw you with God last night

I was mad when God took you from me, but last night I could plainly see
That he saved you from lots of misery
A smile upon your face told me you were happy as you could be
I’m a gonna ask God if he’ll save a place for me

Mother, dear sweet precious mother, mother, sweet precious mother,
I saw you with God last night
He was holding to your hand showin’ you around in the Promised Land
I saw you with God last night

What really makes the song great is the entwining harmonies of Wheeler with bandmates Alden and Doyle Nelson, especially on the first line of the chorus. Doyle’s high harmony changes the song from a mournful ballad to a one that captures the sense of relief and joy that I hope that time and memory will for me. As much as when you left, Mom, I miss you still.