[Verse 1]
As a boy I knew someday I'd be a sailor
I just knew that I belonged at sea
Saw those ships come into the harbor
A pirate's life, seemed like fun to me!
Six months out on a rough sea with a wet deck
An accident cost me my right eye!
I was back on duty in an hour
The captain asked, "Why do you wear a smile?"

[Chorus]
Piece by piece, I'm goin' on to Heaven
Piece by piece, I'm gonna be made whole!
Piece by piece, I'm goin' on to Heaven
Piece by piece, just waiting for my soul!

[Verse 2]
With a patch, I found that I was just fine
Though it seems the rest of me must wait
I will sail and fight across the South Seas
But keep one eye on Heaven's Pearly Gates
Then one day, while taking on provisions
My mind drifted for just a little while
That slip cost me most of my left leg
The captain asked, "Why do you wear a smile?"
[Chorus]
Piece by piece, I'm goin' on to Heaven
Piece by piece, I'm gonna be made whole!
Piece by piece, I'm goin' on to Heaven
Piece by piece, just waiting for my soul!

[Verse 3]
A peg leg and a patch, I worked down in the galley
And held my own on the ship and on the shore
I know I have nothing left to fear here
'Cause I've got one foot in Heaven's door!
Some years later in the heat of battle
Off the coast of St. Vincent's Isle
A cannonball left me with just one hand
The captain asked, "Why do you wear a smile?"

[Chorus]
Piece by piece, I'm goin' on to Heaven
Piece by piece, I'm gonna be made whole!
Piece by piece, I'm goin' on to Heaven
Piece by piece, just waiting for my soul!

[Verse 4]
Now here I am with my sailin' days behind me
And I look back on what a time it's been
When death comes, I will not be frightened
'Cause I've got a hand to help me in!
Even though I'm half the man I once was
I say to you, it was all worthwhile!
After all, it got me halfway to Heaven
And that's the reason I still wear a smile!
[Chorus]
Piece by piece, I'm goin' on to Heaven
Piece by piece, I'm gonna be made whole!
Piece by piece, I'm goin' on to Heaven
Piece by piece, just waiting for my soul!

Piece by piece, I'm goin' on to Heaven
Piece by piece, I'm gonna be made whole!
Piece by piece, I'm goin' on to Heaven
Piece by piece, just waiting for my soul!