If I'm Late, Don't Wait . . .

Step by step, all the happy

Saints go marching in And if a Saint step out of line

he'll have to start again 'Cause Jacob's golden ladder

gets slippery at the top And many a happy-go-lucky saint

has made that long long drop [Chorus] If I'm late don't wait Go on without me I may tarry awhile 'Cause I need to know Before I go How come the Devil smiles [Verse 2] Free from care, free from fear The Saints are trooping in The children play all around the throne

innocent of sin A trillion voices sing the name

the mortal may not know And Heaven's walls too high to hear

the trouble down below [Chorus] If I'm late don't wait Go on without me I may tarry awhile 'Cause I need to know Before I go How come the Devil smiles

Jesse Winchester. From The Wire Season 1.