Ground on Down Lyrics
God the devil and love
cause I've looked up from the bottom
and I've stared down from above
divinity and grace
but even when I'm on my knees
I know the devil prays
from the ground on down
because it means that I
will be with you forever
or will sadly say goodbye
because it means that I
will live my life happily without you
or will sadly live a lie
from the ground on down
and if your lookin' for extension
with your time
you had best do well
and there is good intention
they're as far apart
as heaven and hell
from the ground on down
Great song, I can't believe no one has commented on it yet! To me it's about the constant struggle within between good and evil. Ben is saying that he's been through it all and he's telling you that you might want to change your ways, because just getting by without making a difference for the good isn't enough. Otherwise, you're just on your way down and he doesn't want love someone like that.
Great song, great poetic lyrics. When you hear him sing this song, a blunt kind of anger comes out in his voice. Hes calling out people who think that they are doing good but really are just doing bad. Hes calling out someone saying they are working their way from the ground on down, as in their intentions are bad, and in doing what they intend to do they are just digging themselves deeper.
Also, he condemns people who talk good but dont actually do good: "but even when I'm on my knees I know the devil prays" hes saying when he prays and asks God for things he realizes bad people do the same thing and realizing this the only difference is in who actually does good things later.
"cause there's good deeds and there is good intention they're as far apart as heaven and hell" Hes saying theres a big difference between talking righteously and actually living a righteous, good life. Hitler thought he had good intentions, so did Ghandi. Ones in heaven, one in hell.
What i get out of this song, regardless your intentions, religion, beleifs, whatever none of that counts to whether or not you are a good person, IT ALL DEPENDS ON HOW YOU ACT, WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND, WHO YOU LOVE, TANGIBLE THINGS. powerful message
...also lol i could go on forever Some things that are worth noting that relate to the song: There was a prophet called Malachi who came to the Israelites condemning them for "empty worship". For going to the temple and praying, then going home and causing harm to others. He says that true worship involves a good life as well as a good prayer life. This song shows the same message. Mohandas Gandhi once said "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." Perfect for the song, so many people who consider themselves christian yet do not live that way.
But then again, we are all only human, im sure ben harper isn't perfect either so maybe im just holding people to way to high of a moral standard