He Was in Heaven Before He Died John Prine

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 grass blade
Where the salt from their tears washed out with the tide

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 is 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

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

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

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