susan werner, “(why is Your) Heaven so small”
from: the gospel truth, 2007
“Excuse me sir, what did you say?
When you shout so loud, it’s hard to tell
You say that I must change my ways
For I am surely bound to Hell
Well I know you’d damn me if you could
But my friend, that’s simply not your call
If God is great and God is good
Why is your Heaven so small
You say you know you say you’ve read
That Holy Bible up on your shelf
Do you recall when Jesus said
Judge not, lest ye be judged yourself
For I know you’d damn me if you could
But my friend, that’s simply not your call
If God is great and God is good
Why is your Heaven so small
With your fists that shake, and your eyes that burn
What makes you do these things you do?
I would not be surprised to learn
Someone somewhere excluded you
But my friend, imagine it if you would
A love much mightier than us all
O if God is great and God is good
Why is your Heaven
So small?”
Her records might not show it as much, but you won’t run into many more literate, engaging, strident performers than Ms. Werner. She from “got the audience eating out of her band”fame. Comfortable in folk, cabaret, early jazz torch singing and of course topical material as here conveyed. She doesn’t play out too much anymore, so should you get wind of her appearing near you, go thee to see. Top shelf!
