The First Step to Heaven

The First Step To Heaven

Contact information:
Larry Cordle - (615) 830-4765
mightycord@aol.com

Songwriter(s): Jim Rushing/Emory Gordy, Jr
Publisher(s): Universal Music Pub., Co Polygram, ASCAP
Sony Tree Music, BMI

Lead vocal-Larry Cordle
Tenor vocal-Carl Jackson
Baritone vocal-Jerry Salley
Bass vocal-Bradley Walker
Guitars & Mandolin: Clay Hess
Bass: Brennan Hess

VERSE 1:
Wake up oh sinner
You’re facing the darkness of death
Each moment could be
The moment you draw your last breath
And the weight of your fears
Are the shackles that keep you enslaved
But the blood of the Lamb is the one way
To bypass the grave

CHORUS:
The first step to Heaven
Is knowing you’re lost
The highway to glory
Is the way of the Cross
You can hand him your burden
The moment you see
The first step to Heaven
Is down on your knees

VERSE 2:
To all you believers
Who have answered the good shepherd’s call
Flood the chasm of darkness
With the light that can save one and all
Not a soul crosses Jordan
On the strength of
Their money or deeds
That mansion up yonder’s reserved
For those who believe

Repeat chorus:


My mentor, brother in Christ, and favorite songwriter of my time here in Nashville is the co-writer of this great song… what a line…. “The 1st Step to Heaven, is down on your knees”. Jim co-wrote this song with another friend of mine, Emory Gordy Jr. He just happens to be married to one of my favorite singers, Miss Patty Loveless. Emory is a great songwriter in his own right, as well as a terrific musician. Jim (who now lives in Montana), taught me so much when it comes to songwriting.
Always searching for the absolute best line we could find, instead of a way to just finish a song. I owe him so much for what he did for me in my career. Always urging me to try and do it better… and being brutally honest with me when critiquing our work. “Is that the best we can do? He’d say… or, are we just making up rhymes”? or “maybe the doggone melody is wrong”. I love you so much old pal … I hope you & Emory like this version… there have been some earlier great versions of it, so I know I had a lot to live up to. God Bless.