(dana hunt oglesby/danny m. wells)

jimmy was born in bethlehem, georgia
he grew up to be a carpenter by trade
we met four years ago on a job site
said he´d just turned 29 on christmas day

jimmy always had a hammer in his hand
i can still hear him driving those tenpenny nails
but sunday morning you´d find him at the baptist church
giving thanks for his family, friends and his health

jimmy and jesus sure did have a lot in common
both born in december in a town with the same name
jimmy and jesus worked hard every day
tryin´ to make this world a better place

his weekly paycheck barely paid his bills
yet he could always find an extra ten to lend a friend
you´d hear them say "we´ll pay ya back on friday"
but he´d say "don´t worry about it"
and just look at them and grin

jimmy and jesus sure did have a lot in common
they´d give you the shirt right off their back
jimmy and jesus worked hard every day
tryin´ to make this old world a better place

looking back i can´t forget that rainy april afternoon
i slipped and fell while me and jimmy were working on a roof
he reached out and saved me from fallin´ down
but then he lost his balance and tumbled to the ground
jimmy and jesus sure did have a lot in common
they lived their lives unselfishly
and died to save a friend
jimmy and jesus worked hard everyday
tryin´ to make this old world a better place
tryin´ to make this old world a better place