ONE STEP FROM HEAVEN

____________________

if we could only pray together

to a single god unknown

who has as many names as there are 

children on the run

if we could only walk together

it’s the only chance we’ll have

when your blood stains my doorstep

who needs heaven then

________________________

you never gave me any trouble

you never cause me any harm

yet a stupid war is raging

we’re riders on the storm

and i have to fear my brother

tho he’s down upon his knees

tell me i need paradise

when he dies for peace

who needs heaven then?

who needs heaven then?

you need heaven then?

who needs

heaven?

_______________

one step to the left

one step to the right

one step back

one step forward

another step

just take another step 

one step to the left

one step to the right

one step back

one step forward

one more….

______________

there is no limit to My mercy

how could I put more faith in you

don’t I forgive you time and time again

and let you live with all you do

I’ve offered peace to ease your sorrow

I died a zillion times for you

should your heart still bleed tomorrow

I’ll pray it may forgive

Me too —

____________

(you take)

one step back

one step forward

one more……

_________________

 you never gave me any trouble

you never cause me any harm

yet a stupid war is raging

we’re riders on the storm

and i have to fear my brother

tho he’s down upon his knees

tell me i need paradise

when he dies for peace

you need heaven then?

you need heaven then?

you need heaven then?

who needs

heaven?

____________

we take

one step back

one step forward

another step

just take another step

we’re only

one step from heaven

one step from heaven

from heaven

from heaven

heaven

heaven….

_________________

Written in 1994. 
In Mexico children sing one of these little songs kids make up - where do they come from, these riddles that touch the mistery of life, the heart of the matter: One step to the left, one step to the right, one step forward, one step back - if I take one more step I will be lost without your hand.

This song is a prayer that asks to give my place in paradise to some one who has never had any of that in this world. Cause we have that, we have our families, our loved ones, our homes - we have our moments of hapiness, of paradise on earth. So many never have any of that.