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DEM BONES
(Verse 1) The Foot bone connected to the Leg bone,
Leg bone connected to the Knee bone,
Knee bone connected to the Thigh bone, Now, Hear the word of the Lord!
(Verse 2)
Thigh bone connected to the Hip bone,
Hip bone connected to the Back bone,
Back bone connected to the Shoulder bone, Now, Hear the word of the Lord!
(Verse 3)
Shoulder bone connected to the Neck bone,
Neck bone connected to the Head bone,
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones, Now, Hear the word of the Lord!
(Added New Optional Chorus / Bridge)
Oh, choose a thankful heart today,
Keep the green-eyed monster far away!
Don't let envy rot your bones inside—
Let God's love be your joy and guide!
(Going Backwards - Verse 4)
Head bone connected to the Neck bone,
Neck bone connected to the Shoulder bone,
Shoulder bone connected to the Back bone, Now,
Hear the word of the Lord!
(Going Backwards - Verse 5)
Back bone connected to the Hip bone,
Hip bone connected to the Thigh bone,
Thigh bone connected to the Knee bone, Now, Hear the word of the Lord!
(Going Backwards - Verse 6)
Knee bone connected to the Leg bone,
Leg bone connected to the Foot bone,
Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones, Now, Hear the word of the Lord!
DEM BONES ©2026 Christian Spiritual Song "Dem Bones" as a structured song arrangement was developed and published around 1928 (composed collaboratively in the 1920s and first recorded that year). However, as a traditional African American spiritual, its roots go back much further as an oral folk tradition inspired by the biblical Book of Ezekiel.
James Weldon Johnson along with his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson. The song's imagery and theme are based on the biblical story of the prophet Ezekiel in the Valley of Dry Bones from Ezekiel chapter
"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."
Why this verse connects to the lesson:
The "Dry Bones" Connection: Just as Ezekiel preached to the dry bones in the valley to bring them back to life (Ezekiel 37), the song uses bones to teach kids about the spiritual danger of envy.
The "Rotten Bones" Warning: Proverbs 14:30 teaches that letting the "Green-Eyed Monster" (envy) into our hearts doesn't just hurt our feelings—it acts like decay or rot inside us. Choosing gratitude and a content heart brings life and healing, just like the breath of God bringing the skeleton back to life!
