The old preacher man stood there in pulpit
The church house was empty almost
His eyes filled with tears, his mind filled with memories of not so long ago
When the church house was full not one pew was empty
The altar was stained with saints' tears
As he stands there this morning and sounds out the warning
Once again letting them know
There's a heaven to gain and a hell to shun
The way is still straight there's a race to be run
You can live as you please but you must pay the cost
And the highway to heaven still goes by the cross
Some of his members thought he was old fashioned
Not willing to change with the times
So they found other churches more modern day preachers
Who were willing to let things go by
But the old preacher stood for what he believed in
And what he had preached for years
As he stands there this morning in a near empty church house
His opening remarks are these words
- -
Now the old preacher man stands there in that city
The city he's preached of so long
Oh but he's never seen such a great congregation
All gathered to welcome him home
He's never heard more beautiful singing that is coming from that heavenly band
He's preached his last sermon, he's carried his last burden
He's at rest in that heavenly land - -
You can live as you please but you must pay the cost
And the highway to heaven still goes by the cross