This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Jesus, don't want me for a sunbeam
Sunbeams are never made like me
Don't expect me to cry
For all the reasons you had to die
Don't ever ask your love of me
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for thee
Jesus, don't want me for a sunbeam
Sunbeams are never made like me
Don't expect me to cry
For all the reasons you had to die
Don't ever ask your love of me
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for thee
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for thee
Jesus, don't want me for a sunbeam
Sunbeams are never made like me
Don't expect me to cry
For all the reasons you had to die
Don't ever ask your love of me
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for me
Sunbeams are never made like me
Don't expect me to cry
For all the reasons you had to die
Don't ever ask your love of me
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for thee
Jesus, don't want me for a sunbeam
Sunbeams are never made like me
Don't expect me to cry
For all the reasons you had to die
Don't ever ask your love of me
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for thee
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for thee
Jesus, don't want me for a sunbeam
Sunbeams are never made like me
Don't expect me to cry
For all the reasons you had to die
Don't ever ask your love of me
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for me
Lyrics submitted by bonj, edited by Mellow_Harsher, boomgorilla
Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam Lyrics as written by Eugene Kelly Frances Mckee
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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The original of this song is by the Vaselines. The Vaselines did it basically as a way of criticizing religion. The old Christian hymn you all are speaking of is "Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam." I don't remember the words to the hymn, as I only saw that song once, but in my opinion, the lyrics to "Jesus Don't Want Me For A Sunbeam" are basically the artist's way of saying "I made mistakes, I learned from them, so don't expect me to feel guilty and don't expect me to pretend to be perfect when we all know I'm not," and also, "don't expect me to sacrifice my happy life for your miserable hypocritical belief system."
Generally, I never reply, but this is my second on this song.<br /> <br /> Sadly, I agree with you here. "Don't expect me to cry for the reasons you had to die." That one line is loaded with ire, overtone and undertone. Rejecting the idea of my own sin, the notion that it required a sacrifice, that God would make that sacrifice, one that only He could make, and out of love rather than vengeful wrath.<br /> <br /> One thing we often forget, so many many Christians suffer like Kurt Cobain, to the point of committing suicide themselves. It is indeed hypocritical to pretend otherwise, as that means Christians are denying the very same sin and sacrifice this song criticizes.<br /> <br /> -Pie
@seacreature25 <br /> The problem here is that Christians need to know they aren't perfect. They need to live the rest of their lives learning how to act perfect for the rest of their lives instead of trying hard to make sure the past mistakes don't count. An argument athiests make is tht "no mane's perfect." But that's what a Christian needs to know in order to grow.
@seacreature25 well said. The old hymn “Jesus wants me for a sunbeam” is a children’s song to make children know they are loved. “Jesus wants me for a sunbeam,<br /> To shine for him each day;<br /> In ev'ry way try to please him,<br /> At home, at school, at play.”. <br /> The lyrics by the Vaseline’s are very GenX. Someone who feels bitter and rejected