I'd like to tell a story
Of a place that I once knew
That lived a loving family
As far as anybody knew.

They never touched a drink
And they hardly ever swore
Until Pa would come to think
There's gotta be something more

More to life,
More to this
More than the woman
Who gave birth to his kids

Well one night just after supper
Little Timmy wiped his hands
Off on his trousers
And that was where it would end.

Pa took a deep breath I remember well
And told those six people
Around that table
That they could all go to hell

Well you would think that it'd be over
That he had said all there was to say
He was nearly to the door
When little Jimmy started to pray.

"Lord give my mother patience
So she don't get too mad
And forgive my fathers behavior
Along with the six or seven drinks he's had.

Protect my sisters
And me and my brothers too
Cause Lord there ain't no telling
Just what he's about to do."

Now Ma told those little children
"Wash up and go upstairs."
Not one of them moved an inch
And Pa went to grab a switch
Wouldn't you know a car
Would show up there.

It was old pastor James
Who happened to
Be driving through that day.
"I wanted to stop by to tell you all
That we missed you in service today."

Now Pa was just about to speak
When a little voice came soft and sweet.
It was little Susie
Who grabbed the preachers arm
He stooped down to Susie's level
And aided to her charm.

"Pastor James, I have a question
And I know I don't understand,
But how do you get to Heaven
To that far away distant land?
If you have a map
Could you show me and my siblings near?
Cause I know it would be much better
Than another day living here.

How do you get to Heaven
On that bright and Godly shore
How do you walk on streets of Gold
Instead of this old rotten floor?

How do you get to Heaven
Pastor could you tell me please
We've had a life of hardship
And now it's time for a life of ease.