Meaning of “God’s Country” by Blake Shelton
From a personal perspective, Blake Shelton is singing this song about his home state of Oklahoma. However he also acknowledges that the track is designed to be open to interpretation by the audience. Actually, Shelton sees everywhere as “God’s country”, and it is up to the listener to apply this attribute to anywhere he or she desires.
Throughout the verses you can see that “God’s country” is a challenging place to live. Life is not easy, and Shelton and his people eat by the sweat of their brow. Also although he owns the land, he does not perceive it as his own, as he acknowledges that rather it belongs to God.
In the chorus, he seems to give a special shoutout to the southern Dixie states of America (of which some consider Oklahoma a part of), particularly Georgia. In fact in the bridge he basically states that even if his eventual grave is unmarked, “God’s country” is where he wants to be buried. He also briefly yet affectionately brings up the subjects of baptism and dog hunting.
And overall, the track has somewhat of a pro-America sentiment to it – especially in a traditional, rural sense – which can also be deduced from the American flag present on the cover art for the track.
What has Blake Shelton said about “God’s Country”?
According to Shelton, for him, the song is about “being from Oklahoma” – his hometown. However, he said the song is open to interpretation. He believes that regardless of where you find yourself, you are in God’s Country.
Facts about “God’s Country”
- Blake Shelton dropped “God’s Country” as a single on the 29th of March 2019.
- Shelton did not write this song. It was written by Michael Hardy, with the support of the following songwriters: Jordan Schmidt and Devin Dawson.
- The production of the song was done by Scott Hendricks alongside Scott Johnson.
- The music clip for this single was directed by renowned music video director – Sophie Muller. The video was filmed in Oklahoma, Shelton’s hometown.
- In 2019, the song was included on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of 10 Best Country, Americana Songs to Hear Now.
What’s the meaning of “shine with the dogs running ” lyric?
holy water and shine, shine referring to possibly vodka (little water in russian translation) and moonshine. hes being “baptised” (drinking). dogs running referring to watching either hunting dogs running about or his pets playing in the field.
It’s about drinking moonshine and watching the Georgia Bulldog (dawgs colloquially) play football.
No, he means running dogs. As in hunting with dogs.
Disagree. I think it’s a literal baptism. Church and religion played an important part in settler’s lives. So did moonshine and dogs runnin’ in the hunt.
he’s talking about both holy water Baptism as in church but also Moonshine baptism as in chugging back the spirits (alcohol) y’all.
That’s what Blake said it represents, literally the spiritual baptism
Or it just means he see God’s country everywhere around him because he talks about the devil not sticking around.
I see all the sites putting the word shine in the word shine inthe first phrase referring to moonshine. I always thought it went with the second phrase…shine, with the dogs running. This, referring to coon hunting at night with dogs and using bright lights to “shine” for coons. Guess we’ll never know!!
This may help explain parts of the chorus…
https://twitter.com/NAZCARDAMUZ/status/1198776785372090369?s=20
We laid our grandson to rest in June, he and his Mom shared a love of this song and called it “their song. The title has been engraved on his grave marker . We miss him so much but take comfort knowing he is now in “Gods Country.”
Sorry for your loss yes he is now in God’s Country.
I’m still stuck on the phrase “being found”.
See Amazing Grace
😢
I think the verse means getting baptized with moonshine mixed with holy water with dogs running around while he is getting baptized
However I am only 11 so what do I know
My condolences, but yes that would give me comfort also.
I think the verse means getting baptized with moonshine mixed with holy water with dogs running around while he is getting baptized but who knows maybe it is something that hardy and Blake wanted us to bicker about
However I am only 11 so maybe not
I think the lyric, “the devil went to Georgia but he didn’t stick around, this is God’s country” is a reference to Trump trying to win in Georgia and being driven out. Just sayin’
God’s Country: hicks, racism, guns, pro-life, rural republicans worshiping Trump their almighty savior. Deplorables.
Take this, this is Gods country. Not deplorable , not pedo joe , you whatever you are. Anonymous you are a scared little liberal arnt you? Have a good life in GODS COUNTRY!
Hahaha!!! Nope! Respectfully, it is a way of life. It is OUR life! Hard working, sacrificing, GOD loving, hunting for our natural food, respect and appreciation to our Veterans and active service people, gun safety and pro constitution, conservative, pro-life…yes sir!, smarter than you could ever be…sometimes ‘smart’ ain’t all about a book…, racism.., makes me LAUGH MAO!!! Not even!!! Rural, people loving, people helping, and republican…because VALUES AND MORALS AND CHARACTER matters, and we don’t worship Trump! We respect his love of our country, his balls to be truthful, and his dedication to our rights…bless your heart!
Easily the BEST response I have ever seen!
You hit the nail square on the head!!!!!
Thanks so much for the compliment! God bless! 😉
“Anonymous”, God is our Almighty Savior!
Not everything is about politics.
I think the word shine the comments seem to question probably is moonshine. Baptisms may have been in a river in a hick town, where hunting dogs and moonshine were part of the towns environment. I think the lyrics were probably stating while he was getting baptized it was back in the river where moonshine was probably made and where dogs hunted, so if you can imagine someone getting baptized in a river, there were probably moonshine ( shine) stills around and hunting dogs…..that’s just my interpretation. Have a blessed day in “God’s Country”
I think that it would mean baptized by the light because he say “i saw the light in the sunrise” soo
What does “the devil went down to Georgia but he didn’t stick around” exactly mean? I know they mentioned it but I don’t really understand it.
Devil went down to Georgia is a song by Charlie Daniels about a fiddle player that the devil was trying to make a deal with…basically saying the devil was run out of Georgia…I think what it’s alluding to is that the south is God’s Country..no place for the devil here
Not a big country music fan but started listening to Blake really recently – in the last 6 months or so. I am a 62 year old Black American woman, songwriter and singer of Jazz, R&B, Pop, and Gospel. This song, “God’s Country” is one of the most badass songs I have ever heard. Sometimes, I wake up hearing it in my head, and have to go to YouTube and play it back to back a few times until my soul is satisfied. There is such passion and power in the lyrics and Blake’s delivery of them with that great soulful voice of his. This song expresses a deep understanding that millions of people live life like this with s no complaining about the challenges. There is joy in the most simple of things – rain, crops, happy dogs – whether on the hunt or just running free on the land. I think “gettin’ baptized in holy water and ‘shine” is literally being baptized in the church, plus the experience of drinking moonshine – because that stuff burns at 150 to 190 proof and everytime you take a swig it’s a baptism by fire! “The Devil went down to Georgia but he didn’t stick around” most likely refers to the original Charlie Daniels song, talking about the Devil looking for a soul to steal in a fiddle playing contest, but the Devil lost the contest and left. Hey, it’s God’s country, right? Devil don’t like that! I love the absolute respect these lyrics show in the understanding that we do not “own” anything – it all belongs to God. This is not about religion, but rather about acknowledging the Creator. No matter who we are or what we look like, recognize it is all God’s Country. This is a GREAT song!
This is the best comment I’ve read.
FANTASTIC COMMENT!!!
I agree with CoCoLatte7 but would like to add that the Lord saves us when we are low and in need. My thought is that the person in this song is involved in the illegal business of “shine” and may have been indulging also. The “dogs running “ are the hounds looking for them and with trouble, despair, and worry then comes Jesus! Thank You Lord for this song and the reminder to me that You’re always there!
I agree with CoCoLatte7 but would like to add that the Lord saves us at the hardest and lowest times. The word “shine” may refer to this person being in the illegal business of moonshine and may have been indulging in it too. The “dogs running “ could refer to the law looking for them, and the “devil came down to Georgia “ could refer to where it happened. But with worry, despair, and sorrow comes Jesus with “I saw the Light.” Thank You Lord for this song and the reminder to me that You are always there!