About The Song
In the realm of country music, there are songs that twang the heartstrings with tales of love and loss, of life’s simple joys and the ache of its inevitable sorrows. And then there are songs that transcend the genre, weaving tapestries of emotion that resonate with a universal human experience. Justin Moore’s “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” falls into the latter category, a poignant ballad that has earned its place among the modern classics of country music.
Released in 2011 as the lead single from Moore’s sophomore album, “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” quickly captured the hearts of listeners with its heartfelt lyrics and emotive melody. The song paints a vivid picture of a man yearning for a connection with his deceased grandfather, seeking solace in the belief that heaven is not an unreachable place but a realm just beyond our earthly grasp.
Moore’s voice, imbued with a raw, honest vulnerability, carries the weight of the song’s message with authenticity. The lyrics, penned by Moore himself along with Brett James and DJ Schur, are simple yet profound, capturing the essence of longing and the enduring power of love that transcends the boundaries of life and death.
The song’s opening lines immediately set the tone, with Moore singing, “Every day I drive to work across the Flint River Bridge / A hundred yards from the spot where we used to fish.” These poignant words establish the deep connection between the narrator and his grandfather, a bond forged through shared experiences and the quiet camaraderie of fishing trips.
The chorus, with its soaring melody and heartfelt plea, is the emotional crux of the song:
“If heaven wasn’t so far away / I’d walk right up there today / And I’d ask him if he missed me too / If he wished I was there with him too.”
Moore’s voice cracks with emotion as he delivers these lines, conveying the depth of his longing and the ache of his loss. The repetition of the phrase “if heaven wasn’t so far away” underscores the narrator’s yearning for a tangible connection with his grandfather, a desire to bridge the gap between the physical world and the spiritual realm.
The verses that follow offer glimpses into the narrator’s memories of his grandfather, painting a portrait of a man who was a pillar of strength, a source of wisdom, and a loving companion. These remembrances serve to reinforce the profound bond between the two, a connection that transcends time and death.
The song’s bridge provides a moment of solace, as the narrator finds comfort in the belief that his grandfather is watching over him from heaven. “I know he’s watchin’ down on me / And he’s proud of the man I’ve become,” Moore sings, his voice laced with a newfound peace.
“If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” concludes with a poignant repetition of the chorus, leaving the listener with a lingering sense of bittersweet emotion. The song’s power lies in its ability to capture the universal human experience of loss and longing, offering a glimmer of hope and solace in the face of grief. It is a testament to Justin Moore’s songwriting prowess and his ability to deliver heartfelt lyrics with genuine emotion. “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” is a country ballad that transcends genre boundaries, a song that speaks to the heart and leaves an indelible mark on the listener’s soul.
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Lyric
Every day I drive to work across Flint River bridgeA hundred yards from the spot where me and grandpaFishedThere’s a piece of his old fruit stand on the side ofSawmill RoadHe’d be there peelin’ peaches if it was twenty years agoAnd what I wouldn’t giveTo ride around in that old truck with himIf heaven wasn’t so far awayI’d pack up the kids and go for the dayIntroduce them to their grandpaWatch ’em laugh at the way he talksI’d find my long lost cousin JohnThe one we left back in VietnamShow him a picture of his daughter nowShe’s a doctor and he’d be proudThen tell him we’d be back in a couple of daysIn the rear view mirror we’d all watch ’em waveYeah, and losing them wouldn’t be so hard to takeIf heaven wasn’t so far awayI’d hug all three of those girls we lost from the class of ’99And I’d find my bird dog BoAnd take him huntin’ one more timeI’d ask Hank why he took those pills back in ’53And Janis to sing the second verse of “Me and Bobby McGee”Sit on a cloud and visit for a whileIt’d do me good just to see them smileIf heaven wasn’t so far awayI’d pack up the kids and go for the dayIntroduce them to their grandpaWatch ’em laugh at the way he talksI’d find my long lost cousin JohnThe one we left back in VietnamShow him a picture of his daughter nowShe’s a doctor and he’d be proudThen tell him we’d be back in a couple of daysIn the rear view mirror we’d all watch ’em waveYeah, and losing them wouldn’t be so hard to takeIf heaven wasn’t so farIf heaven wasn’t so farIf heaven wasn’t so far awaySo far awaySo far away