One Day at the Gates Lyrics

St. Peter perusing the old Pearly Gates
Working the swing shift, Two Thousand and Eight
It was slow for a Monday, five minutes to nine
There were only two spirits in line

The first began knocking, St. Peter said, "Come
Tell me what did you do down on Earth there my son?"
"I was a preacher, my word was the Lord's
And I lectured for decades how God I adored."

"Come on right in, friend, you're most welcome here
We've built you a cabin just off to the rear
And when you've settled in here's a coupon that's good
For a nice cotton robe and a staff made of wood."

So then came the second, a short balding man
With an old blue beret and two wrinkled old hands
St. Peter began with his questions again
"Tell me, what did you do in the world of men and women?"

"For the last thirty years sir, I drove a big cab
On the streets of Manhattan, I'd zoom and I'd gab"
St. Peter said ?Sir, you need say nothing more"
And quite quickly relinquished the keys to the door

Come on right in, friend, you don't have to wait
We've built you a palace right by the front the gate
With a big fireplace so you'll never get cold
And a set of silk suits and a staff made of gold."

But the preacher who'd gone in before him caught word
Of this opulent dwelling and then when he heard
Of the difference in garments and staves, he was furious
Perplexed and bewildered and partially curious

"Tell me, why does this chauffeur get all these fine gifts here
When I served the Lord and all he did was shift gears?"
And here was the reply that St. Peter made
"When you preached, people slept
When he drove, people prayed!'