It's a Sin
Paul Anka Lyrics
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It's always with a sense of shame
I've always been the one to blame
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
Everything I've ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I've ever been
Everywhere I'm going to
It's a sin
At school they taught me how to be
So pure in thought and word and deed
They didn't quite succeed
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
It's a sin
Everything I've ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I've ever been
Everywhere I'm going to
It's a sin
Father, forgive me, I tried not to do it
Turned over a new leaf, then tore right through it
Whatever you taught me, I didn't believe it
Father, you fought me, 'cause I didn't care
And I still don't understand
So I look back upon my life
Forever with a sense of shame
I've always been the one to blame
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
It's a sin
Everything I've ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I've ever been
Everywhere I'm going to
It's a sin
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
In "It's A Sin," Paul Anka reflects on his past and feels a "sense of shame" as a result of his actions. He acknowledges that he has always been the one to blame for his mistakes, no matter where or with whom they occurred. Anka believes that everything he desires or seeks to accomplish is sinful and that he has been unable to break free from this pattern of behavior. In his youth, he was taught to be pure in thought, word, and deed but never fully succeeded. He feels that he has let down his family and religious leaders, seeking forgiveness from his father and ultimately struggling to understand his own actions.
The song carries a strong sense of Catholic guilt, reflecting Anka's upbringing and his personal thoughts on sin and morality. The repetition of the phrase "it's a sin" emphasizes the weight of Anka's transgressions, underlining the sense of shame he carries through life. The song's structure is rooted in classic 1950s pop, providing a reflective and downbeat tone to Anka's introspective lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
When I look back upon my life
When I reflect on my past experiences
It's always with a sense of shame
I feel embarrassed and regretful about my past actions
I've always been the one to blame
I recognize that I am responsible for my own mistakes
For everything I long to do
For all my desires and aspirations
No matter when or where or who
Regardless of the circumstances or people involved
Has one thing in common, too
There is a common factor in all my desires and actions
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
My actions are morally wrong
Everything I've ever done
Every past action of mine
Everything I ever do
Every current and future action of mine
Every place I've ever been
Every location I have visited
Everywhere I'm going to
Every upcoming destination I plan to visit
At school they taught me how to be
During my education, I was taught to live a certain way
So pure in thought and word and deed
To have virtuous intentions, speech, and actions
They didn't quite succeed
However, their teachings did not fully stick with me
Father, forgive me, I tried not to do it
I ask for God's forgiveness, as I attempted not to commit immoral actions
Turned over a new leaf, then tore right through it
I attempted to make a positive change, but quickly fell back into my bad habits
Whatever you taught me, I didn't believe it
I did not fully believe or follow the teachings I was given
Father, you fought me, 'cause I didn't care
God gave me guidance and challenged me, but I did not care to follow it
And I still don't understand
To this day, I am unsure why I continue to make immoral choices
Forever with a sense of shame
Permanently feeling guilty and embarrassed
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
My actions are consistently immoral
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
My actions are consistently immoral
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Neil Francis Tennant, Christopher Sean Lowe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind