Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore

John Prine · In Person & On Stage [2010]

While digesting Reader's Digest

In the back of the dirty book store,

A plastic flag with gum on the back

Fell out on the floor.

Well, I picked it up and I went outside

And stuck it on my window shield,

And if I could find ol' Betsy Ross,

I'd tell her how good I feel!



Chorus:

But your flag decal won't get you

Into Heaven any more.

They're already overcrowded

From your dirty little war.

Now Jesus don't like killin'

No matter what the reason's for,

And your flag decal won't get you

Into Heaven any more.



Well, I went to the bank this morning

And the cashier he said to me,

"If you join the Christmas club,

We'll give you ten of them flags for free."

Well, I didn't mess around a bit

I took him up on what he said.

And I stuck them stickers all over my car

And one on my wife's forehead.



Repeat Chorus:



Well, I got my window shield so filled

With flags I couldn't see.

So, I ran the car upside a curb

And right into a tree.

By the time they got a doctor down

I was already dead.

And I'll never understand why the man

Standing in the Pearly Gates said...



"But your flag decal won't get you

Into Heaven any more.

We're already overcrowded

From your dirty little war.

Now Jesus don't like killin'

No matter what the reason's for,

And your flag decal won't get you

Into Heaven any more."

Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore

John Prine's "Your Flag Decal Won't Get You Into Heaven Anymore" stands as a quintessential example of his lyrical wit and social commentary. Recorded during his extensive live performance history, the track captures the absurdity of political symbolism and the disconnect between public displays of allegiance and spiritual reality. Prine's signature blend of folk storytelling and observational humor shines through, offering a gentle yet pointed critique of how individuals use external markers to define their identity. The song reflects the broader tradition of American folk music that addresses civic duty and personal faith, utilizing a conversational tone to explore themes of hypocrisy and the search for meaning. It remains a defining piece in Prine's catalog, showcasing his ability to distill complex societal questions into accessible, memorable verses that resonate across generations.