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.
In my time of dying, want nobody to mourn
All I want for you to do is take my body home
Well, well, well, so I can die easy
Well, well, well, so I can die easy
Jesus, gonna make up/out siviers
Jesus, gonna make up my dyin' bed
Meet me, Jesus, meet me
Oh meet me in the middle of the air
If my wings should fail me, Lord
Oh please meet me with another pair
Well, well, well, so I can die easy
Well, well, well, so I can die easy
Jesus, gonna make up
Somebody, somebody
Oh, oh Jesus gonna make up
Jesus gonna make you my dyin' bed
Oh, Saint Peter, at the gates of heaven
Won't you let me in
I never did no harm
I never did no wrong
Oh, Gabriel, let me blow your horn
Let me blow your horn
Oh, I never did, did no harm
I've only been this young once
I never thought I'd do anybody no wrong
No, not once
Oh, I did somebody some good
Somebody some good yeah
Oh, did somebody some good yeah
I must have did somebody some good yeah
Oh I believe I did
I see the smiling faces
I know I must have left some traces
And I see them in the streets
And I see them in the field
And I hear them shouting under my feet
And I know it's got to be real
Oh, Lord, deliver me
All the wrong I've done
You can deliver me, Lord
I only wanted to have some fun
Hear the angels marchin'
Hear the' marchin', hear them marchin'
Hear them marchin', the' marchin'
(Oh my Jesus)
It's got to be my Jesus
Oh, it's got to be, it's got to be my Jesus
it's got to be my oh
it's got to be my Jesus
Oh take me home
Come on, come on I can hear the answer, sing it
Oh, here they come
Here they come
Here they come
Bye-bye
Bye-bye
Bye-bye
Bye-bye
Bye-bye
Oh, feels pretty good, don't you?
Pretty good, I feel
(Oh, Georgina)
(Oh)
Oh, yeah
Oh, I see him
Come on
(Take it)
Oh, don't you make it my dyin', dyin', dyin'
Cough, "that's gonna be the one, isn't it?"
"Come have a listen, then"
Oh yes, thank you
All I want for you to do is take my body home
Well, well, well, so I can die easy
Well, well, well, so I can die easy
Jesus, gonna make up/out siviers
Jesus, gonna make up my dyin' bed
Meet me, Jesus, meet me
Oh meet me in the middle of the air
If my wings should fail me, Lord
Oh please meet me with another pair
Well, well, well, so I can die easy
Well, well, well, so I can die easy
Jesus, gonna make up
Somebody, somebody
Oh, oh Jesus gonna make up
Jesus gonna make you my dyin' bed
Oh, Saint Peter, at the gates of heaven
Won't you let me in
I never did no harm
I never did no wrong
Oh, Gabriel, let me blow your horn
Let me blow your horn
Oh, I never did, did no harm
I've only been this young once
I never thought I'd do anybody no wrong
No, not once
Oh, I did somebody some good
Somebody some good yeah
Oh, did somebody some good yeah
I must have did somebody some good yeah
Oh I believe I did
I see the smiling faces
I know I must have left some traces
And I see them in the streets
And I see them in the field
And I hear them shouting under my feet
And I know it's got to be real
Oh, Lord, deliver me
All the wrong I've done
You can deliver me, Lord
I only wanted to have some fun
Hear the angels marchin'
Hear the' marchin', hear them marchin'
Hear them marchin', the' marchin'
(Oh my Jesus)
It's got to be my Jesus
Oh, it's got to be, it's got to be my Jesus
it's got to be my oh
it's got to be my Jesus
Oh take me home
Come on, come on I can hear the answer, sing it
Oh, here they come
Here they come
Here they come
Bye-bye
Bye-bye
Bye-bye
Bye-bye
Bye-bye
Oh, feels pretty good, don't you?
Pretty good, I feel
(Oh, Georgina)
(Oh)
Oh, yeah
Oh, I see him
Come on
(Take it)
Oh, don't you make it my dyin', dyin', dyin'
Cough, "that's gonna be the one, isn't it?"
"Come have a listen, then"
Oh yes, thank you
Lyrics submitted by kevin, edited by Mellow_Harsher
In My Time of Dying Lyrics as written by Robert Plant Jimmy Page
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
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I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
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I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
i think it is about people expressing that certain activities [sex, drugs and rock 'n roll] are not 'sins.'
@kingmikeking no, you are wrong. the song is derived from Blind Willie Johnson. It's about him on his deathbed seeking justification for his life, owning up to his SINS such as the ones you said above, which are definitely sins.