Songs About All of Us: Susan Werner’s Heaven So Small

~ by Samir Selmanovic

For my last birthday my dear friend Ralf gifted me with a CD by songwriter Susan Werner called “The Gospel Truth.” Self described as “evangelical agnostic” Susan expresses the struggle we all have with religion these days but in a way that is full of hope. Although the language and imagery is more familiar to Christians, her experiences and spiritual struggles are universal. Her mastery of American folk music is matched by her inspired lyrics. In the past Ralf introduced me to countless non-commercialized songwriters and albums he calls “smart music.” I am definitely a fan of this one!

Here is a 7 minute medley footage of Susan performing
songs from her new album “The Gospel Truth” live with band at Club
Passim, Cambridge MA. Songs include “Help Somebody,” “Lost My Religion”
and “Our Father (The Revised Edition).” Video includes her between song
commentary about the inspiration for the making of the
agnostic gospel record, and what it has been like to tour across the
country with this unique material.

(why is your) heaven so small

excuse me sir, what did you say?
when you shout so loud, it’s hard to tell
you say that i must change my ways
for i am surely bound to hell

well i know you’d damn me if you could
but my friend, that’s simply not your call
if god is great and god is good
why is your heaven so small

you say you know you say you’ve read
that holy bible up on your shelf
do you recall when jesus said
judge not, lest ye be judged yourself

for i know you’d damn me if you could
but my friend, that’s simply not your call
if god is great, and god is good
why is your heaven so small

with your fists that shake, and your eyes that burn
what makes you do these things you do?
i would not be surprised to learn
someone somewhere excluded you

but my friend, imagine it if you would
a love much mightier than us all
o if god is great and god is good
why is your heaven
so small

To view the video of this song click HERE and choose the title: Heaven So Small. On the same website you can find a link to by this CD.