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Unsung Psalm Lyrics
There would be psalms sung by a choir
I would have a white robe a halo newly acquired
I'd be at peace and I'd have no desire
If I'd lived right
There would be cherubs with tiny harps arrows and bows
I'd have a halo and a flowing white robe
I'd be enfolded by a celestial light
If I'd lived right
But I'm feeling hot and bothered under the collar
I feel the sweat breaking out on my brow
I feel the heat and I know it's the passion
The love I can't disavow
If this is a dream wake me up now
If this is a movie let's edit these scenes out
It would be a PG instead of an X-rated life
If I'd lived right
Some would call me a cheat call me a liar
Say that I've been defeated by the basest desired
Yes I have strayed and succumbed to my vices
But I tried to live right
But I have no regrets no guilt in my heart
I only feel sadness for any pain that I've caused
I guess I wouldn't bother to worry at all
If I'd lived right
Do you live by the book do you play by the rules?
Do you care what is thought by others about you?
If this day is all that is promised to you
Do you life for the future the present the past?
If there is one thing I know I know I will die
If anyone cares some stranger my critique my life
I may be revered or defamed and decried
But I tried to live right
There would be psalms sung by a choir
I would have a white robe a halo newly acquired
I'd be at peace and I'd have no desire
If I'd lived right
I would have a white robe a halo newly acquired
I'd be at peace and I'd have no desire
If I'd lived right
I'd have a halo and a flowing white robe
I'd be enfolded by a celestial light
If I'd lived right
I feel the sweat breaking out on my brow
I feel the heat and I know it's the passion
The love I can't disavow
If this is a movie let's edit these scenes out
It would be a PG instead of an X-rated life
If I'd lived right
Say that I've been defeated by the basest desired
Yes I have strayed and succumbed to my vices
But I tried to live right
I only feel sadness for any pain that I've caused
I guess I wouldn't bother to worry at all
If I'd lived right
Do you care what is thought by others about you?
If this day is all that is promised to you
Do you life for the future the present the past?
If anyone cares some stranger my critique my life
I may be revered or defamed and decried
But I tried to live right
I would have a white robe a halo newly acquired
I'd be at peace and I'd have no desire
If I'd lived right
Song Info
Submitted by
nelly On Mar 09, 2002
More Tracy Chapman
Fast Car
The Promise
Baby Can I Hold You
Give Me One Reason
Talkin’ ‘Bout A Revolution
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i first heard of this song when someone preached a sermon based on it. it is a great piece of songwriting.
This is one of my favorite songs by Tracy Chapman. However, I always thought of the lyrics as one big suicide note. Maybe my twisted mind interpreted the lyrics wrong.
This is one of my favorite songs by Tracy Chapman. However, I always thought of the lyrics as one big suicide note. Maybe my twisted mind interpreted the lyrics wrong.
To me, this is like a commentary on the hypocrisy of some churches regarding queer sexual orientation and about the self-loathing and despair it causes for queer Christians who try to do what is expected of them. Everything would be just fine if it weren't for this one thing you're doing "wrong" - so you gotta try, but no matter how hard you try to "live right" you still can't ignore this voice within that's telling you that you can't change (and shouldn't!), so that makes you feel "hot under the collar" and makes "the sweat break out on my brow" because you give in to who you truly are.
Fantastic lyrics, whatever she intended for them to mean ... But the idea that this is what they could be about gave me a lot of courage when I needed it and will be forever grateful to her for this song.