written by
Owen johnson

[Verse 1]
Many years ago
I swore I had it all
Thought my plans were set
Thought my back could take the fall
But in the quiet rooms
In the middle of my days
I heard a gentle voice
Pulling on my heart that way

[Verse 2]
One trip down the road
To visit my friend
West Virginia hills
Curving
Never end
Sunday morning came
That whisper turned to sound
“Go to Sunday school”
Like thunder shaking ground

[Pre-Chorus]
I turned and asked my friend
“Can I come along?”
He smiled and nodded slow
Said
“That’s where we belong”

[Chorus]
I’m a winner either way
If I go or if I stay
When I heard that old song play
Something broke inside my shame
In that little country church
I felt love I can’t explain
Now I’m holding to the Savior’s hand
I’m a winner either way

[Verse 3]
We got up and dressed
Tried to hide my nerves
Old white steeple stood
On that winding curve
As the music rose
I felt something new
Like the weight I’d carried
Finally slipping through

[Pre-Chorus]
Every note they sang
Cut straight through my fear
I didn’t know the words
But I knew God was near

[Chorus]
I’m a winner either way
If I go or if I stay
When I heard that old song play
Something broke inside my shame
In that little country church
I felt love I can’t explain
Now I’m holding to the Savior’s hand
I’m a winner either way

[Bridge]
I walked in thinking I was fine
Just another Sunday
Just killing time
But heaven had a different plan that day
Turned a restless heart into a life of praise

[Chorus]
I’m a winner either way
If I go or if I stay
From that first “amen” that day
I was never quite the same
In that little country church
Grace came rushing like a wave
Now I’m holding to the Savior’s hand
I’m a winner either way
(yeah, I’m a winner either way)