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

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