big white gate

my body's aching from laying in this bed
went singing in the rain and the cold got to my head
i don't know who's paying...
...i just know what the doctor said

84 years of a sinning life
and in the morning i'll be dead

i have three daughters, a new man for every one
and the only man that i ever loved
he left me with my only son
i was a no-good mother, i was a no-good wife
there's only one thing that i did right in this god-forsaken life

so St. Peter, won't you open up the Big White Gate?
'cause i heard about forgiveness and i hope it ain't too late
no i ain't no holy roller, but you go tell your King
that all the folks up in Heaven might like to hear me sing

i sang to my children before they strayed so far
i sang for my lover for a nickel in a tip jar
i never knew Jesus, i never read the Good Book
but on my day of dying, i'm giving life a second look

St. Peter, won't you open up the Big White Gate?
'cause i heard about forgiveness and i hope it ain't too late
i ain't no holy roller, but you go tell your King
that all the folks up in Heaven might like to hear me sing

it's coming on time now
and my body's getting cold
i got no will, i got no prayer
my story's all been told
i'm ready for a land of fire
but i'd love to see the land of gold
so nurse, bring me my guitar
one more song before i go

St. Peter, won't you open up the Big White Gate?
'cause i heard about forgiveness and i'm hoping that it ain't too late
no i ain't no holy roller, but you go tell your King
that all the folks up in Heaven might like to hear me sing

all the folks up in Heaven might like to hear me sing