It Wouldn't Be Heaven.mp3
Humor and music make the pain of loss manageable. Almost feels like they're still with me with I sing this.
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Story behind the song
This song was inspired by the powerful obits in the New York Times after 9/11. But it gets re-inspired every time heaven kidnaps another loved one. If heaven's not where I go to ransom them, if I don't see every one of my beloved pets there, if I can't immediately salsa dance when I set foot in the place, if I can't eat limitless ice cream, I don't wanna go.
Lyrics
HEAVEN
I read the paper every day but not for the news
I skip the business section cuz I know how much I'm losing
I could read the sports page, but first I'd have to care
I turn right to the obits, to make sure my name's not there
I hear that heaven is the happening place to be
I can think of a worse spot to spend eternity
I hope you're in heaven
I hope I get there too
It wouldn't be heaven at all without you
I read the obits every day and when I'm done
I find I'm left with the impression that heaven will be lots of fun
The part of Gabriel will be played by Louis Armstrong instead
He'll be blowing his horn loud enough to wake the dead
You know that heaven is the place I've planned
To blow the blues harp in that angel band
I hope you're in heaven
I hope the dogs are all there too
It wouldn't be heaven without them and you
Jimi, Janis, Bessie, Billie, Buddy, Stevie Ray, Selena, and Johann
Won't somebody save me a front row seat in the Great Beyond
I check to see whose stories made it into print
And read the loving tributes to the time they spent
I hope that when my story runs it makes you proud
And that a well-placed typo makes you laugh out loud
It looks like heaven is the happening place to go
I want a back-stage pass to that all-star show
I hope in heaven there's more than a snowball's chance
That I could learn to salsa dance
But if my name's not in the paper it's a real safe bet
I'm still in Texas, I'm not in heaven yet