Song Description

HEREAFTER LIVIN? Southern folks always seem to turn their phrases in a sly and colorful manner. Such was the case with my West Virginia born mother, whose father was a Nazarene minister, and whose grandfather was a bible-totin? circuit rider(c.c rider). One day as a child I recall my mother, weary of her workload as a New York freelance writer, refusing to arise and proceed downtown even if ?Jesus was playing saxophone, and God was on string-bass!?. Inspired also by Jon Hendrick?s story-song ?Gimme That Wine?, I have reimagined this tableau as a heavenly jam session. Between verses, each of the biblical cast preaches a solo chorus of the funky blues: Moses, Jesus, The Holy Ghost, and Adam, respectively. God, of course, lays down the everlasting groove.

Lyrics

HEREAFTER LIVIN'
Well I dreamed I went to heaven, to my resting place
I found Jesus screamin? saxophone, God was thumpin? bass
They were jumpin', Moses led the holy band
Shoutin' hallelujah children, welcome to the promised land

Now the Lord began to solo, and it sounded like a prayer
Satan heard that holy word all the way down there
And it moved him, to take a break from spreadin' hate
He joined the congregation, to dance and to celebrate

God spotted me, with all-seeing eyes
Sayeth He unto me, "Thou shalt improvise"
So I scatted...
"Son", He said "Music is the answer and love is going
to set you free"

I woke up with a startle, in a steamin? pool of sweat
I knew I'd felt the holy ghost and seen that sacred set
I'd been groovin', to the music of the spheres
And now this dream is here inside me
And joy will conquer all my fears

If you plan to go heaven you'll stand a better chance
If you get yourself a partner and teach yourself to dance
You'll be groovin' , see there ain't no reason to be sad
With this here hereafter livin'
Dyin' don't have to be so bad!