His awards include seven Tonys, three Grammys including Best Contemporary Classical Composition for Requiem, seven Oliviers, a Golden Globe, an Oscar, two International Emmys, the Praemium Imperiale, the Richard Rodgers Award for Excellence in Musical Theatre, a BASCA Fellowship and the Kennedy Center Honor.
He currently owns six London theatres, including the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and the London Palladium.
Heaven on Their Minds
Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics
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If there is a way
Take this cup away from me
For I don't want to taste its poison
Feel it burn me, I have changed
I'm not as sure as when we started
Then I was inspired
Listen, surely I've exceeded expectations
Tried for three years, seems like thirty
Could you ask as much from any other man?
But if I die
See the saga through and do the things you ask of me
Let them hate me, hit me, hurt me, nail me to their tree
I'd wanna know, I'd wanna know my God
I'd wanna know, I'd wanna know my God
Wanna see, I'd wanna see my God
Wanna see, I'd wanna see my God
Why I should die?
Would I be more noticed than I was ever before?
Would the things I've said and done matter any more?
I'd have to know, I'd have to know my Lord
Have to know, I'd have to know my Lord
Have to see, I'd have to see my Lord
Have to see, I'd have to see my Lord
If I die what will be my reward?
If I die what will be my reward?
Have to know, I'd have to know my Lord
Have to know, have to know my Lord
Why should I die?
Why should I die?
Can you show me now that I would not be killed in vain?
Show me just a little of your omnipresent brain
Show me there's a reason for your wanting me to die
You're far too keen on where and how and not so hot on why
Alright I'll die
Just, just watch me die
See how, see how I die
See how I die
Then I was inspired
Now I'm sad and tired
After all I've tried for three years
Seems like ninety
Why then am I scared to finish what I started
What you started, I didn't start it
God, Thy will is hard
But You hold every card
I will drink Your cup of poison
Nail me to Your cross and break me
Bleed me, beat me, kill me, take me now
Before I change my mind
The song "Heaven on Their Minds" is performed by Judas Iscariot and is from the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Judas expresses his doubts and confusion over Jesus' mission and betrayal of him. He begins the song by pleading for the cup (the suffering that Jesus must face) to be taken away from him, expressing his fear and doubts about what is to come. He then questions why he should die and whether it will make a difference.
Judas goes on to express his desire to know his God and see him. He contemplates whether his death will be in vain and whether there is a reason for his sacrifice. In the final verse, Judas decides to go through with his betrayal, acknowledging that he is scared to finish what he started, but ultimately surrendering to God's will and accepting his fate.
The song delves into the inner turmoil and doubts of Judas, who is often portrayed as a villain in religious texts. It humanizes him and explores his motivations, making him a complex and relatable character. The lyrics also question the meaning and purpose of sacrifice and suffering, themes that are central to the Christian faith.
Line by Line Meaning
I only want to say
I have something to say
If there is a way
If it's possible
Take this cup away from me
Save me from this fate
For I don't want to taste its poison
I don't want to endure the consequences
Feel it burn me, I have changed
I'm afraid of the pain and I'm different now
I'm not as sure as when we started
I'm not as confident as before
Then I was inspired
I felt motivated before
Now I'm sad and tired
Now I'm depressed and exhausted
Listen, surely I've exceeded expectations
Surely I've done more than what was asked of me
Tried for three years, seems like thirty
It feels like I've been working so hard for so long
Could you ask as much from any other man?
Is it fair to expect this much from anyone?
But if I die
If I must die
See the saga through and do the things you ask of me
Complete the story and do what I'm supposed to do
Let them hate me, hit me, hurt me, nail me to their tree
Allow them to hurt me as long as I finish the task
I'd wanna know, I'd wanna know my God
I want to understand my God
Wanna see, I'd wanna see my God
I want to witness my God
Why I should die?
Why do I have to die?
Would I be more noticed than I was ever before?
Would my death have more impact than my life?
Would the things I've said and done matter any more?
Would my actions still have meaning after my death?
Have to know, I'd have to know my Lord
I need to understand my Lord
Have to see, I'd have to see my Lord
I need to experience my Lord
If I die what will be my reward?
What will happen to me after I die?
Can you show me now that I would not be killed in vain?
Can you prove that my death is not pointless?
Show me just a little of your omnipresent brain
Give me a glimpse of your infinite knowledge
Show me there's a reason for your wanting me to die
Prove that there's a purpose for my death
You're far too keen on where and how and not so hot on why
You're too focused on the logistics and not the reasons
Alright I'll die
Okay, I'll accept my fate
Just, just watch me die
Just witness my death
See how, see how I die
Watch how I die
After all I've tried for three years
Despite all my efforts for three years
Seems like ninety
It feels like so much longer
Why then am I scared to finish what I started?
So why am I afraid to complete what I began?
What you started, I didn't start it
This wasn't my plan, this was your plan
God, Thy will is hard
God, your wish is challenging
But You hold every card
But you have complete control
I will drink Your cup of poison
I will accept my death
Nail me to Your cross and break me
Sacrifice me as you did with Jesus
Bleed me, beat me, kill me, take me now
Hurt me, harm me, and end my life
Before I change my mind
Before I reconsider
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, TIM RICE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind