Story Behind The Song

Idea parallels several movie plots

Song Description

A man's wife and son are killed, and he vows vengeance. In the end, he gets no satisfaction or peace, and finds no reason for living. His observation is that, it's a hell of a trail to heaven.

Lyrics

Oh, where did the kinder times go, Lord,

when I had a good woman and son?

And why did you let them be taken

by the lead from a cruel outlaw?s gun?

All I?ve lived for and loved is a memory;

There?s just loneliness, now, in this place.

I?m just wanting the family I mourn for,

And to be, back again, in your grace.



Lashed hard by the winds of the devil,

I?ve forgotten what livin? is for.

It?s a hell of a trail to Heaven.

Oh, Lord, don?t y? leave me no more.



Oh, where did the gentler times go, Lord,

when my true love first kindled the flame

And where is my childhood religion,

when I faithfully called on your name?

Just a cowboy, who vowed he'd get vengeance,

An eye for an eye was my goal.

I know killin?s against my religion,

but that demon has stolen my soul.



Lashed hard by the winds of t he devil,

I?ve forgotten what livin? is for.

It?s a hell of a trail to Heaven.

Oh, Lord, don?t y? leave me no more.



Oh, where did the younger times go, Lord,

when my darlin? was ripe with our child?

And when did the hope in life vanish,

and the memories of springtimes so mild.

All my black curls have turned into white ones.

There?s just space, where my heart used to live.

My vengeance didn?t bring back my dear ones,

and there ain?t nothin? left I can give.



Lashed hard by the winds of the devil,

I?ve forgotten what livin? is for.

It?s a hell of a trail to Heaven.

Oh, Lord, don?t y? leave me no more.