I learned it from Drew Smith and Bob Woodcock, both fine autoharp players (as is Ms. Harpgirl!) and they both got itfrom EC and Orna Ball. Woodcock likes to sing the answerback as:
I'm ready (ready ready) when you call me Lord

The song has always reminded me of that passage in Robert Heinlein's Stranger in a Strange Land where the Fosterite church announces "Brother ____. Your prayers have been accepted and you will be Going to Heaven tomorrow morning at 8 AM! Going away party to start at midnight. Funeral at 9 AM tomorrow!"
"everybody wants to go to Heaven but nobody wants to die"