FROM THE TIME I WAS KNEE-HIGH TO A HORSEFLY,
I’D TEST THE LINES,
AND, IF MAMA SAID, “DON’T GO!” YOU KNOW,
I’D GO EVERY TIME.

AND I DIDN’T MEAN TO MAKE HER CRY,
BUT, EVERY TIME I’D ASK, “WHY?”

SHE’D SAY, “SON, DON’T YOU QUESTION ME,
OR MY AUTHORITY,
I BELIEVE THAT’S ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW,

AND IF YOU DON’T DO AS I SAY,
THERE’S GONNA BE HELL TO PAY,
‘CAUSE I SAID SO!”

WELL, I NEVER DID CHANGE MUCH, LOST TOUCH,
WITH FAMILY TIES,
THEN, I GOT A PHONE CALL FROM AN IN-LAW,
SAID, “YOU BETTER SAY YOUR GOODBYES.”

AND, AS I STOOD BY HER SIDE,
SHE SAID, “SON, DON’T ASK WHY,

JUST TAKE THIS BOOK OF MINE,
PROMISE YOU’LL READ EVERY LINE,
IT’S ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW,

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU READ THE PHRASE,
WHERE JESUS SAYS,
“CAUSE, I SAID SO.”

THEN, AS HER HAND WENT LIMP IN MINE,
THE BOOK FELL OPEN TO THE WORDS SHE UNDERLINED,

“I’LL PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU,
THEN, I’LL COME BACK TO TAKE YOU, TOO;
TO BELIEVE IS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW,

THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN ME
WILL LIVE FOR ETERNITY,
‘CAUSE, I SAID SO.”

“THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN ME,
WILL LIVE FOR ETERNITY,
‘CAUSE, I SAID SO.”