My jail shoes on
The well kept cemetery lawn
Both of them weeping
Their one good son now was gone
The irony to see my dad down on his knees
Crying out to Jesus
But lord I've always done what's right
And all the while
The good lord smiled
And looked the other way

When we were kids
I did my best to make them proud
It just wasn't in me
I could not fly straight to save my life

Their big success is now their biggest failure
Their golden child has been dethroned
Their reputation is now in ruin
Their tower to heaven has come tumbling down


Lyrics submitted by ScreamingInfidelity

Bad Things to Such Good People Lyrics as written by David Shannon Bazan

Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY

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Bad Things to Such Good People song meanings
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24 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    I see less Biblical allegory than most of these interpretations. I just see a pretty straightforward song about a man visiting his brother's funeral on leave from jail. His parents are weeping and calling out to God for their 'one good son' 's death. The brother sees how it's more of a tragedy to them since he is in prison and they are not proud of him. It's a devastating song. The "All the while" part is just showing the despair of the moment.

    ikefoxon November 09, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    the guitar on this is just awesome, just the amount of feeling it holds on about when everything you've built up everything you've depended on, believed comes down on you. this song may not have much hope, but its sure holds the dispair of everything failing on you amazingly..

    behind0youreyeson May 20, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song is amazing ...David bazin is a genious.

    XxPEDROTHELIONxXon June 05, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song is one of the best and most depressing songs i ever heard...

    earthsickon July 04, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    wow.. this song is definatly about the futility of trying to strive on your own. you will fail.

    david bazan is even using biblical refrences to when the man has tried to strive without god.
    the golden calf line frome when the isrealites made a golden calf while moses was geting the ten commandments, the were punished and the tower of babel.

    when he says it just wasn't in me. i could not fine stength to save my life. he showing how each and everyone of us is imperfect to the point wher no one can get anywhere by themselves..

    and yes i agree david bazan is a genious.

    behind0youreyeson July 20, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    oops.. i had forgotten i made that first post.. sorry people.

    behind0youreyeson July 20, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Once again another amazing PTL song, especially the acoustic guitar in this one...

    Popper1777on July 22, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I feel this song is about a corrupt politican having to see what his dirty deeds have done to his loved ones. A great song, Bazan is a great poet and has the most amazing voice I've ever heard.

    renegadeon August 02, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song is absolutely amazing... gives me the chills

    xTinkerBell138xon August 07, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is about the only song in the world that gets me that much i really feel like crying

    Ghost_Man_On_Thirdon September 08, 2002   Link

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