Emmylou Harris

Heaven Aint Ready For Me

When they carried you into the parlor
Your wounds were the worst I'd seen
Cold as snow your body trembled
Craddled in the arms of morphine
All the kinfolk cried out loud
Good shepherd save this man
But you whispered with icy breath
It is not in his hands and you said
Heaven ain't ready for me yet and you looked at me
Give me your heart and take a bet and you held my hand
Now I've seen your face now that we've met
I shall not slip away
Mama said to me, daughter
You must nurse your cousin well
So I cared for you thru days and night
But your fever I did not quell
For weeks I watched you suffer pain
That no laudanum could ease
All I had left to do is pray
Lord have mercy on him please - and you said
Heaven ain't ready for me yet and you looked at me
Give me your heart and take a bet and you held my hand
Now I've seen your face now that we've met
I shall not slip away
Now winters lights has cooled the air
At last your strength's returned
You talk to me of the life you spent
And of the life you've earned
You'll waste no time on vengenance
You've no wish to fight again
To find peace you say In God we trust
Put little faith in man
No, Heaven aint ready for you yet, Jesse
I'll give you my heart I'll take a bet Jesse
Now Ive seen your face now that we've met
We shall not slip away
From The Legend Of Jesse James
A & M Records 1980
Irving Music Inc.