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,"
"Heaven ain't ready for me yet,"
"Give me your heart and take a bet,"
"Now I've seen your face,
Mama said to me, "daughter
"You must nurse your cousin well"
So I cared for you through
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,"
"Heaven ain't ready for me yet,"
"Give me your heart and take a bet,"
"Now I've seen your face,
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,
"But little faith in Man"
Heaven ain't' ready for you yet, Jesse
