Mother Mary come for me
For I am a wicked child
I have sinned and I am so confused
For I am a wicked child
I am a wicked child

I am the Devil's son
And I wish I could be good
I walk the crooked mile
Yeah I wish I could be good
I wish I could be good

If I could have kept on the straight and narrow
If I could have kept on the straight and narrow
But God broke your heart
God broke your heart

Now I wake up in the night
He's tugging at my arms and legs
Like I was a marionette
Send baby Jesus
To radiate his lie
To radiate his lie


Lyrics submitted by Grim713

I Am a Wicked Child (Go to Sleep) Lyrics as written by Edward John O'brien Colin Charles Greenwood

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

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I Am a Wicked Child song meanings
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    General Comment

    I don't think this song is satirical in any way (I just don't see Radiohead taking a stab at Christianity, or any other religion for that matter, that's not what Radiohead is about). Neither it is an attempt at preaching the gospel, as someone here assumed (if you read a few interviews with Thom Yorke, you'll see he's not exactly what one would call a devout Christian). I think this song echoes another song by Radiohead, Fog, in some way. It's contemplation on innocence lost and the feeling of remorse that comes with it. And I'd also like to say that one shouldn't assume that the song necessarily is about Thom Yorke's personal experiences - in an interview with Q magazine (Jul 2003), he pointed out: "I'm not personally answerable for the characters in the songs. That's not me talking. And I think that people who listen to us know that now."

    Mozgon May 05, 2007   Link

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