Once upon a time not so long ago
Tommy used to work on the docks, union's been on strike
He's down on his luck, it's tough, so tough
Gina works the diner all day working for her man
She brings home her pay, for love, for love

She says, we've got to hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot for love
We'll give it a shot

Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer

Tommy's got his six-string in hock
Now he's holding in what he used to make it talk
So tough, it's tough
Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night, Tommy whispers
Baby, it's okay, someday

We've got to hold on to what we've got
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not
We've got each other and that's a lot for love
We'll give it a shot

Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Livin' on a prayer

Oh, we've got to hold on, ready or not
You live for the fight when it's all that you've got
Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer

Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer

Woah, we're half way there
Woah, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand, we'll make it I swear
Woah, livin' on a prayer


Lyrics submitted by freezelb

Livin' on a Prayer Lyrics as written by Desmond Child Jon Bon Jovi

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Livin' On A Prayer song meanings
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6 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    this song is awesome! i mean it speaks for all young christian couples. stellar kart rox so hard! woo hoo! |-D hehe

    StellarKartfan89on November 09, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    woo only one comment and it was ages ago cool im only on here nto see if there the same lyrics as Bon Jovi's and they are so bye

    Music-Guy!on April 29, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Why in the world did they put this song on their CD? This isn't a Christian song!

    theonethatison May 20, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I emailed the band and got this reply from Jordan himself:

    "livin on a prayer was something we wanted to do. We dont feel like all the songs we come out with have to be christian, just creative."

    theonethatison June 13, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    "Once upon a time Not so long ago" are not in the version I have. Maybe they are on a different one tho. But I like this one better than Bon Jovi's. Stellar kart is awesome.

    I_only_need_youon April 24, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    How isn't this a Christian song?

    Laurimon May 15, 2007   Link

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