So scared of each other these days
can’t look each other in the eye
go straight for the 12-gauge
no fortress around your heart can keep the wolves at bay
down in paradise these days

did you hear the one about the kid with the gun?
did you hear the one about the priest and the nun?
did you hear the one about the crumbling mansion in the sun?
well I went there once, but Elvis wasn’t home

now I laugh too long and I cry too hard
my shrink says boy you gotta hair-trigger heart
I’m just beating the shrubs for the presence of God
it’s a long way to heaven
it’s a long way from here

did you hear the one about the man who loved everyone?
the papers called him a bum, said his work was dung
he cried too long and he laughed too loud
for those so busy being proud

he said I wish I were stronger, I wish I were taller
and he prayed his Johnson wouldn’t get any smaller
he said it all in the voice of the anonymous caller
on line seven

it’s a long way to heaven
it’s a long way from here

such a long way, so I say
looking into you, I climb the tree that holds the hive
looking into you, I am the only man alive
looking into you, I drink your love like blood-red wine
looking into you, I am not a slave to time
looking into you, I am not afraid to die