Blake Shelton's "God's Country," written by Devin Dawson, Hardy and Jordan Schmidt, celebrates rural lifestyles with a Southern rock edge. Like Shelton's 2018 single "I Lived It," the lyrical content of "God's Country" centers on work, faith and family.
"I saw the light in a sunrise/ Sittin' back in the 40 on the muddy riverside/ Getting baptized in holy water and 'shine...Dixie whistle in the wind, that'll get you Heaven bound/ The devil went down to Georgia but he didn't stick around/ This is God's country"
In a press release, Shelton said though the song reminds him of his native Oklahoma, the song's message is for anyone -- no matter where they're from.
"No matter where you are from, or where you're standing, it is my belief that you're standing in God's Country," Shelton said in a press release. "For me it's about being from Oklahoma -- where I was born, raised and still live today."
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Since its March 2019 release, the partial title track of Shelton's Fully Loaded: God's Country album (Warner Music Nashville) has won a CMA award for Single of the Year and earned Shelton his ninth career Grammy nomination (Best Country Solo Performance).
It's topped Billboard's US Hot Country Songs and US Country airplay charts. It's also reached the 17th spot on two all-genre polls: the Billboard Hot 100 and Rolling Stone's Top 100.
More recently, "God's Country" earned three ACM (Academy of Country Music Awards) nominations: Video of the Year, Song of the Year and Single of the Year. Shelton's also in contention for Musical Event of the Year for "Dive Bar," a duet with Nashville icon and fellow Oklahoman Garth Brooks.
This story originally ran on March 29, 2019.
'God's Country' Lyrics:
Right outside of this one church town
There's a gold dirt road to a whole lotta nothin'
Got a deed to the land but it ain't my ground
This is God's country
We pray for rain and thank Him when it's falling
'Cause it brings the grain and a little bit of money
We put it back in the plate, I guess that's why they call it
God's country
I saw the light in a sunrise
Sittin' back in the 40 on the muddy riverside
Getting baptized in holy water and 'shine
with the dogs runnin'
Saved by the sound, I've been found
Dixie whistle in the wind, that'll get you Heaven bound
The devil went down to Georgia but he didn't stick around
This is God's country
We turn the dirt and work until the week's done
We take a break and break bread on Sunday
Then do it all again 'cause we're proud to be
from God's Country
I saw the light in a sunrise
Sittin' back in a 40 on the muddy river side
Gettin' baptized in holy water and shine with the dogs runnin'
Saved by the sound I've been found
Dixie whistle in the wind, that'll get you Heaven bound
The devil went down to Georgia but he didn't stick around
This is God's country
I don't care what my headstone reads
Or what kind of pine wood box I end up in
When it's my time lay me 6 feet deep in
God's country
2020 ACM Award Nominees
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Carrie Underwood
Female Artist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood
Male Artist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Luke Combs
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban
Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Maddie & Tae
Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Midland
Old Dominion
The Highwomen
Album of the Year
Center Point Road, Thomas Rhett
GIRL, Maren Morris
Heartache Medication, Jon Pardi
What You See Is What You Get, Luke Combs
Wildcard, Miranda Lambert
Single of the Year
"God's Country," Blake Shelton
"One Man Band," Old Dominion
"Rainbow," Kacey Musgraves
"Rumor," Lee Brice
"What If I Never Get Over You," Lady Antebellum
Song of the Year
"10,000 Hours," Dan + Shay Featuring Justin Bieber
"Girl Goin' Nowhere," Ashley McBryde
"God's Country," Blake Shelton
"One Man Band," Old Dominion
"Some Of It," Eric Church
Video of the Year
"10,000 Hours," Dan + Shay Featuring Justin Bieber
"God's Country," Blake Shelton
"One Man Band," Old Dominion
"Remember You Young," Thomas Rhett
"Sugar Coat," Little Big Town
Songwriter of the Year
Ashley Gorley
Michael Hardy
Hillary Lindsey
Shane McAnally
Josh Osborne
Music Event of the Year
"10,000 Hours," Dan + Shay Featuring Justin Bieber
"Dive Bar," Garth Brooks Featuring Blake Shelton
"Fooled Around And Fell In Love," Miranda Lambert Featuring Maren Morris, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes, Caylee Hammack & Elle King
"Old Town Road," Lil Nas X Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus
"What Happens In A Small Town," Brantley Gilbert Featuring Lindsay Ell
