If There's Not A Hell (there Ought To Be) Lyrics - Bobby Bare

Farmer Jones ran short on seeds so he borrowed from his neigbor Sam 

The fall brought Jones a flourishin' crop while his neighbor's all burned brown 

Sam had a wife and thirteen kids he worked to feed each day 

With hungry pride he begged for help and he was turned away 

He was forced to sell his farm for half its worth 

To this man he thought a friend to be if there's not a hell there ought to be 

Mary Ann was sweet sixteen never had been around 

A child as pure as a mountain stream that ran through her hometown 

Then happened by the slick Tom Shark in his hand she was clay 

She got caught and faced the shame and he laughed and went his way 

Now no one knows where she's at her folks sent her away 

If there's not a hell there ought to be 

Widow Brown worked since Joe died and tried to save her pay 

To give nine children beans and bread and pretty ties on Sunday 

She got sick and slipped behind the rent she had to meet 

They told her they were sorry and they kicked her out in the street 

And that same day they came and took her kids away 

If there's not a hell there ought to be 

Young Billy Brown he took a trip to keep his country free 

We're all proud of what he done for the good old USA 

But somewhere there's a mighty big man who kept this a goin' on 

The personal game wealth and fame they did their league all wrong 

All wrapped up in the stars and stripes Bill came home one day 

If there's not a hell there ought to be if there's not a hell there ought to be