Lee grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Cherry Hill, New Jersey, USA. He has been quoted as saying that he is fortunate to have seen different sides of life in America. Lee enrolled at the University of South Carolina in 1995. He began to play guitar and write songs seriously while he studied English. After graduating with an English degree, Lee moved back to Philadelphia to teach elementary school. He later made the tough decision to stop teaching in order to pursue a career in music. Shortly thereafter, he released a self-produced EP that featured five of his original songs, which did extremely well in Philadelphia and created a buzz. Norah Jones was the person who finally gave Lee his big breakthrough when she asked him to open for her 2004 tour. Lee then went on to produce his self-titled debut album. In March and April of 2005 Lee opened for the tour that Merle Haggard and Bob Dylan were both embarking on, all 3 performers were extremely well received by critics as the tour went by, with Dylan receiving some of his strongest reviews in years. On October 3, 2006, Lee released his second album, "Supply & Demand" to critical and commercial acclaim.
At the age of only 27, Amos Lee has enjoyed notable success with his debut album and looks to have a promising future in the music business. His favorite artists and sources of inspiration include Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, John Prine, Bill Withers, and James Taylor.
Street Corner Preacher
Amos Lee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A new grace
Street corner preacher
With the angry face
He got two years off
For good behavior
Back in the neighborhood
There's two old ladies
And a junkie, now now
He can see for sure
That his work is cut out
Though he walks through the shadows
We wont fear his neighbor
Back in the neighborhood
Working for the savior
[Chorus]
Bau, bau
Put it on back
Ah put it in
Ah bau bau,
Put it ooh bop
Ah put it in
Ah bau bau
Put it ooh bop
Ah put it in
Ah, bau bau
Ya ya
Well he understands
The need for living it large
But its hard to get a job
With a felony charge
Now he's working in a hospital
Washing dishes
Walking through the fields
Of the lost inhibitions
There is death everywhere
The new, been addiction
To save the liver
From the waking death is his conviction
The eyes of man
Well he seeks no favor
Back in the neighborhood
Workin' for the savior
But there's a whole lot of trouble all around
Every night the same old siren sound
Ah there's a whole lot of trouble all around
Children, soldiers, in this battle ground
[Chorus]
Well a new sun
And a second chance
He unbolts the door
And hops ever the fence
Young woman with a baby
That her daddy gave her
Back in the neighborhood
Workin' for the savior
But all around
The war rages on
Burnt out houses
With the front door gone
Well his faith is his fountain
His love is his neighbor
Back in the neighborhood
Workin' for the savior
Whoa oh oh oh, oh
Yea, ahhh,
Bau, bau
Put it on back
Ah put it in
Ah bau bau,
Put it ooh bop
Ah put it in
Ah bau bau
Put it ooh bop
Ah put it in
Ah, bau bau
Ya ya
He got a new mercy
A new grace
Street corner preacher
With the angry face
He got two years off
For good behavior
Back in the neighborhood
Workin' for the savior
Amos Lee’s “Street Corner Preacher” is a song about the transformation of an ex-convict who becomes a street corner preacher after spending two years in jail. The “angry face” mentioned in the lyrics is a reflection of his past struggles and criminal record, but after his release, he is a changed man filled with “new mercy” and “new grace”.
The preacher faces many challenges in his neighborhood, such as two old ladies and a junkie, but he perseveres and sees his work as an important mission. He walks through the shadows without fear, working for the savior and spreading his message of faith and hope to those who need it most. Despite the war and troubles around him, he remains steadfast in his conviction to help his fellow man.
In the chorus, the playful yet powerful “bau bau” provides a catchy beat and infectious energy that adds to the message of the song. The lyrics may seem simple at first, but they carry profound meaning and commentary about redemption and the human spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
He got a new mercy
He has found a new source of kindness and compassion in his life
A new grace
A new way of behaving that is guided by divine intervention
Street corner preacher
A person who walks around the neighborhood preaching the gospel
With the angry face
Despite his apparent anger, he has a good heart
He got two years off
He was released from prison for good behavior
For good behavior
He behaved well while in prison and was rewarded with an early release
Back in the neighborhood
Returned to his old neighborhood after serving his sentence
Working for the city
Employed by the city to perform some kind of public service or construction work
There's two old ladies
Two elderly women in the neighborhood
And a junkie, now now
And a drug-addicted person, possibly homeless
He can see for sure
He understands the challenges that he faces
That his work is cut out
He knows that he has a lot of work to do to help these people
Though he walks through the shadows
Despite the difficulties of his work, he is not afraid
We won't fear his neighbor
The people in the neighborhood shouldn't be afraid of him
Working for the savior
Doing his work with the love and guidance of Jesus Christ
Bau, bau
A nonsensical phrase, possibly meant to evoke rhythm or music
Put it on back
A command to perform a dance move or some other physical action
Ah put it in
An exclamation of excitement
Put it ooh bop
Another nonsensical phrase, possibly meant to evoke rhythm or music
Ya ya
An exclamation of approval or agreement
Well he understands
He is aware of
The need for living it large
The desire to have a rich and comfortable life
But it's hard to get a job
He has difficulty finding employment due to his criminal record
With a felony charge
Having committed a serious crime, which limits his job opportunities
Now he's working in a hospital
He has found work in the healthcare industry
Washing dishes
Performing menial labor in the hospital kitchen
Walking through the fields
Navigating the difficult and often painful emotions of those around him
Of the lost inhibitions
Dealing with the ways in which people lose control over their own behavior, emotions, and desires
There is death everywhere
It's a difficult job, with illness and death all around him
The new, been addiction
The recent addiction epidemic that has affected so many
To save the liver
To help people overcome alcoholism and liver disease
From the waking death is his conviction
He is committed to helping people live healthier lives and avoid the death that comes from addiction and other illnesses
The eyes of man
The way humans see the world
Well he seeks no favor
He is not looking for any special treatment or recognition
But there's a whole lot of trouble all around
The neighborhood is facing many problems
Every night the same old siren sound
Police and ambulance sirens are a common occurrence in the neighborhood
Children, soldiers, in this battle ground
The people in the neighborhood are fighting many different battles, including poverty, crime, and addiction
Well a new sun
A new day is beginning
And a second chance
He feels like he's been given a second chance at life after his time in prison
He unbolts the door
He's opening himself up to new possibilities and opportunities
And hops ever the fence
He's leaving behind the limitations of his past and moving forward
Young woman with a baby
A young mother with a small child
That her daddy gave her
Possibly referring to a financial gift or some other kind of support from her father
The war rages on
The ongoing problems and challenges facing the neighborhood
Burnt out houses
Buildings that have been destroyed by fire or other disasters
With the front door gone
The front entrance to the houses is missing or destroyed, leaving the spaces exposed and vulnerable
His faith is his fountain
His religious beliefs are the source of his strength and inspiration
His love is his neighbor
He cares deeply for the people in his community and works hard to help them
Whoa oh oh oh, oh
A vocalization suggesting strong emotion or passion
Yea, ahhh,
An expression of affirmation or enthusiasm
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@boknashid81
i never heard of him before i just watched the farm aid concert and became a fan i realized i let life drown me irs,, divorce, school , bills, family and xbox lol today is monday nov 28 2011 and i vow to everyone reading this i will enjoy the rest of my life peace to all
@gailenefuller8330
How you doing so far. 2021
@MrTshawn63
Have had the great priviledge of seeing this guy twice here in Florida. To me, he is the artist of the ages. Truthful, honest artistry. He's a humble lyricist with a musical passion. The kind of guy you'd like at your party whether it's a black-tie affair or a campfire.
@cathyanderson4645
Amos Lee. You are so very true and in touch with humanity
@jcrotty2
can't get enough of this dude!! just seen him in chicago and he had strep throat and it was still one of the best shows i've ever been to
@rosrebel
Great voice ..what a talent ..still good ..
@rosrebel
Once again ..a very special talent ........from the soul ...
@ericwhalen7153
In the eyes of man, he seeks no favor. Amen
@mikehill6680
His voice is butter..
@chrissherwood740
And it only gets better the older he gets.