The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I live a simple life, I take a day at a time
I spend my mornings with God before I hit the grind
The subtleties of darkness never cease to amaze
As a physical world creates a spiritual haze
Blinded by distractions
Lost in matterless affairs
Reaching through the darkness
Trusting You will meet me there
[Chorus]
Day by day, day by day
Day by day, day by day
Oh dear Lord, three things I pray [one, two, three]
To see thee more clearly [day by day]
To love thee more dearly [day by day]
To follow thee more nearly [I got to take it]
Day by day
You cruise around the corner
You watch your back
You sweep your feet down alley streets
Sometimes you creep, I never see you coming
Monday, man you're on my back
Like a knapsack strapped with my heavy burden
No, You cannot condemn me
I won't buy your bag of goods
You've got nothing for me anyway
That's why I pray
[Chorus]
These three things
I do pray
Day by day
Day by day, by day, by day
[These three things]
Day by day, by day, by day
[I do pray]
Day by day, by day, by day, by day (2x) [it's one step out of time]
[Chorus]
As you walk
Day by day
Go to God and pray,
"I'm gonna go Your way"
[I'm gonna pray]
See thee more clearly [every day]
Love thee more dearly [oooh, oh yeah]
Follow thee more nearly [I'm gonna go your way]
Does any body hear me?
Day by day, by day, by day by
Day by day, by day, by day by
Day by day, by day, by day, by day
[I know I'm always safe with you]
[One day at a time]
I spend my mornings with God before I hit the grind
The subtleties of darkness never cease to amaze
As a physical world creates a spiritual haze
Blinded by distractions
Lost in matterless affairs
Reaching through the darkness
Trusting You will meet me there
[Chorus]
Day by day, day by day
Day by day, day by day
Oh dear Lord, three things I pray [one, two, three]
To see thee more clearly [day by day]
To love thee more dearly [day by day]
To follow thee more nearly [I got to take it]
Day by day
You cruise around the corner
You watch your back
You sweep your feet down alley streets
Sometimes you creep, I never see you coming
Monday, man you're on my back
Like a knapsack strapped with my heavy burden
No, You cannot condemn me
I won't buy your bag of goods
You've got nothing for me anyway
That's why I pray
[Chorus]
These three things
I do pray
Day by day
Day by day, by day, by day
[These three things]
Day by day, by day, by day
[I do pray]
Day by day, by day, by day, by day (2x) [it's one step out of time]
[Chorus]
As you walk
Day by day
Go to God and pray,
"I'm gonna go Your way"
[I'm gonna pray]
See thee more clearly [every day]
Love thee more dearly [oooh, oh yeah]
Follow thee more nearly [I'm gonna go your way]
Does any body hear me?
Day by day, by day, by day by
Day by day, by day, by day by
Day by day, by day, by day, by day
[I know I'm always safe with you]
[One day at a time]
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got 2 take it day by day leave tommorow 2 God