Child Of Man
Barclay James Harvest Lyrics


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Child of God was born today
The child of woman just slipped away
The child of man knelt down to pray
And the children of the earth
Didn't know it was the day of
Creation, creation, creation

One thousand years or maybe more
Since they first set eyes on that foreign shore
The grass was green and the water pure
They turned the key and opened the door
To a nation, nation, nation

Child of God says love your brother
Take him by the hand
Child of God says love your neighbour
Make him understand
Child of God says love your sister
Take her by the hand
Child of God says love your neighbour
Make him understand
Make him understand

All believers gather round
Press your faces to the ground
Lift your voices to the sound
Of all the others who have found
Salvation, salvation, salvation
Salvation, salvation, salvation

Child of God says love your brother
Take him by the hand
Child of God says love your neighbour
Make him understand
Child of God says love your sister
Take her by the hand
Child of God says love your neighbour
Make him understand
Make him understand

Salvation, salvation, salvation
Salvation, salvation, salvation




Salvation, salvation, salvation
Salvation, salvation, salvation

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of this song talk about the birth of a child who is the Child of God. With the birth of this Child of God, the Child of Woman (humankind) slips away and the Child of Man kneels down to pray. The children of the earth are unaware of the importance of this day, which is the day of Creation. The song goes on to mention that it has been a thousand years or more since humanity first set foot on a foreign shore. The land was pristine, with green grass and pure water. The people turned the key and opened the door to a nation and to a new journey.


The lyrics also focus on the importance of love and understanding. The Child of God emphasizes the importance of loving one's brother, sister, and neighbor. The song urges us to hold hands and stand together in love and unity. All believers come together to offer their prayers and lift their voices to find salvation. The song takes us on a journey of hope and encourages us to love and understand each other in a world that is ever-changing.


Line by Line Meaning

Child of God was born today
A new era of spiritual enlightenment has arrived


The child of woman just slipped away
The physical form has passed away, but the soul lives on


The child of man knelt down to pray
Despite being aware of his limitations as a human, he still strives to connect with the divine


And the children of the earth didn't know it was the day of creation
Most people are unaware of the significance of this spiritual event


One thousand years or maybe more, Since they first set eyes on that foreign shore
It has been a long time since people first encountered this spiritual truth


The grass was green and the water pure
The natural world reflects the beauty of the divine


They turned the key and opened the door to a nation
This spiritual truth has opened the door to a community of believers


Child of God says love your brother, Take him by the hand
Follow the example of Jesus and show love to those around you


Child of God says love your neighbour, Make him understand
Teach others to love by your own example


Child of God says love your sister, Take her by the hand
Relationships built on love and compassion are essential to spiritual growth


All believers gather round, Press your faces to the ground
Coming together in worship is an important aspect of spiritual community


Lift your voices to the sound Of all the others who have found Salvation
Celebrate and rejoice with those who have experienced spiritual transformation


Salvation, salvation, salvation
Reaching out to the divine is the ultimate goal of spiritual seekers




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LEES

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

bigmagic96

A band you can go back to time and time again and find something 'new' or something you missed before. A great way to spend an hour or two.

William Whitney

great album

ElBoogieAmworld

the artwork displayed on there albums is awesome

ludo281160

Great track from 1972...they were experimentizing which way it should go with their music. They could not effort paying a 40-piece orchestra anymore! Marvellous Band, and nowadays still existing AND touring but in divided bands : JLBJH and BJHLH...

ludo281160

And One to take to the UK...Strage they have not found this one! Amazing song

Kukk Bukk

The "salvation"-part maybe one of the reasons for being called very moody-bluesy? This is quite obviously borrowed from the Moodies-album Every Good Boy Deserves Favour.

Justin Howarth-davies

Wananowhylisten

Earl Z

I finally figured out the guitar on this tune. 👍

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