Heaven Ain't Ready for You Yet

When they carried you into the parlor Your wounds were the worst I'd seen Cold as snow, your body trembled Cradled 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 through days and nights 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 winter's 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 vengeance You've no wish to fight again "To find peace," you say, "In God we trust But little faith in man" Heaven ain't ready for you yet, Jesse I'll give you my heart and I'll take a bet, Jesse Now I've seen your face, now that we've met I shall not slip away