[Intro –gospel narrator,southern sermon voice enthusiastic Preacher] [Preacher Intro – Spoken] "Brothers and sisters… we walk this road heavy. Some nights darker than the soul can stand, some mornings colder than the heart can bear. But I came to tell somebody today— the light ain’t gone, it’s just hidin’ behind the smoke. Every scar you carry, every tear you’ve cried, it’s just proof that you’re still alive… still fightin’. And if you keep walkin’, keep prayin’, keep believin’, you’ll find out what I found out— Heaven… ain’t that far." [Intro – instrumental] [Low organ.] [Choir hums.] [A faint heartbeat under the bass drum.] [Verse 1] I woke up heavy, — mirror fogged, Tryna see myself through the smoke of God. Told my pain don’t speak so loud, But it echoes still through a broken crowd. I been low, seen things I hide, Lost some love, but I kept my pride. When the light hit wrong, it revealed my scars, Every prayer I said got caught in bars. Ain’t no easy way to find the truth, You just face your sins and hope for proof. If mercy waiting, then I’ll knock that door, ‘Cause grace don’t care who you was before. [Hook] Heaven ain’t far, it’s right past fear, I been walkin’ slow, but I’m gettin’ near. Hands up high, can’t feel no chain, Only fire left runnin’ through my veins. Heaven ain’t far, I been hearin’ that call, I done tripped, I done slipped, but I still won’t fall. Heaven ain’t far, it’s a breath away, I been talkin’ to God like He stay all day. [Instrumental lift] [Organ swells.] [Drums rise under the choir.] [Voices whisper:] “Rise again.” [Verse 2] I been searchin’ for a clean restart, But I’m haunted by the words in my heart. Some days light, some nights dark, Still I’m followin’ that little spark. All these crowns, they rust in time, But love still shine through dirt and grime. Every loss taught me what I own, Ain’t no kingdom greater than the soul I’ve grown. [Bridge – choir replies softly] I know it’s close, (I know it’s close) I can feel that flame when the cold wind blows. Every fall just show me proof, (Show me proof) Heaven ain’t far, it’s just truth. [Instrumental build] [Organ and choir swell like thunder.] [The beat drops out.] [A breath — silence — then the free verse hits.] [Free Verse] I been talkin’ to the sky with the windows cracked, Ridin’ through storms, can’t turn back. All my tears been baptized pain, Every scar just re-spells my name. People want halos, I just want peace, Hands been dirty, but I found release. They told me wait for a sign or crown, But I found grace when I fell down. Took my guilt, turned it into gold, Bent but not broke, I don’t fold. Voices in my head say “you done enough,” But I still breathe faith when the nights get rough. I done lost myself, found myself, Put my pride and fear back on the shelf. World keep turnin’, I keep prayin’, Even when I don’t feel what I’m sayin’. Silence louder than any song, But the heart beat on when the soul is strong. Can’t fake truth, can’t fake pain, Can’t find peace ‘til you lose that chain. And I seen angels in the broken street, Heard the choir hum when my hope got weak. Every test I passed, I bled a bit, But I learned redemption don’t quit. I ain’t holy, I ain’t clean, But I’m walkin’ out the dirt still dreamin’ serene. I talk to love, it don’t judge me none, It just say “child, you ain’t done.” So I rise again, same hands, same scars, Same sky, same faith, same stars. Every step closer to what I am, A man with a prayer and a steady hand. Yeah… still breathin’ in the smoke and sin, But the light outside still pullin’ me in. [Hook – variation] Heaven ain’t far, I can feel that heat, Every trial just wash my feet. Heaven ain’t far, I been touchin’ that air, Talked to the dark, but it left me there. Heaven ain’t far, it’s right past fear, I been walkin’ slow, but I’m gettin’ near. [Outro – whispered confession] If I don’t make it home tonight, Tell the light I was comin’. [Preacher – Spoken, Enthusiastic] Can I get an amen in the house tonight?! I said—can I get an amen! You been through storms, you been through pain, you been walkin’ through the fire and the rain! But listen here— when the night gets dark, the light gets brighter! When the road gets long, the soul gets higher! You ain’t fallin’—you’re risin’! You ain’t losin’—you’re learnin’! Every tear that fell was just water for your faith! Every scar you got is a story of grace! So lift your head, lift your heart, ’cause glory don’t live far from here! Turn to your neighbor and say— Heaven! Ain’t! Far! [Outro – instrumental] [Choir fades into silence.] [Organ holds a single note.] [Heartbeat slows.] [Silence.]
