When they carried you into the parlor

Your wounds were the worst I'd seen

Cold as snow as 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 aint' ready for you yet, Jesse

I'll give you my heart, I'll take a bet, Jesse

Now I've seen your face, now that we've met

I shall not slip away...