He Was In Heaven Before He Died
Read He Was In Heaven Before He Died lyrics by John Prine on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.
The page facts to cite before the commentary
Use this page for the lyric text, linked artist context, and any LyroVerse editor's note attached to the song. Listener comments remain user-generated and should not be treated as the primary source.
He Was In Heaven Before He Died
The lyric stays readable and compact here; the note and related paths sit nearby so you do not lose the song while looking for context.
There's a rainbow of babies
Draped over the graveyard
Where all the dead sailors
Wait for their brides
And the cold bitter snow
Has strangled each grassblade
Where the salt from their tears
Washed out with the tide
Chorus
And I smiled on the Wabash
The last time I passed it
Yes I gave her a wink
From the passenger side
And my foot fell asleep
As I swallowed my candy
Knowing he was in heaven
Before he died
Now the harbor's on fire
With the dreams and desires
Of a thousand young poets
Who failed 'cause they tried
For a rhyme without reason
Floats down to the bottom
Where the scavengers eat 'em
And wash in with the tide
Repeat Chorus:
The sun can play tricks
With your eyes on the highway
The moon can lay sideways
Till the ocean stands still
But a person can't tell
His best friend he loves him
Till time has stopped breathing
You're alone on the hill
What this page can answer fast
Who performs "He Was In Heaven Before He Died"?
John Prine performs "He Was In Heaven Before He Died", and this lyric page sits inside the John Prine catalog on LyroVerse.
Are there related songs to explore after "He Was In Heaven Before He Died"?
Yes. The related section below points to 'Til a Tear Becomes a Rose and Aimless Love with a short reason for opening each page next.
Where can I find more songs by John Prine?
Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through John Prine's lyric pages.
Interpretations, questions, and corrections for this song
Interpretations, questions, memories, and correction notes live together here. The room stays noindex while the best insights are reviewed.
What people are saying
No listener comments on He Was In Heaven Before He Died yet.
A strong comment here is specific: the phrase you keep hearing, the mood you come back for, or the reason this song stays in rotation.
Sign in to post the first listener note. Reporting stays open to everyone.