Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals was formed by American singer-songwrite… Read Full Bio ↴Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals was formed by American singer-songwriter Ben Harper in 1999 for the album Burn to Shine. The band features Juan Nelson on bass, Leon Mobley on percussion, Oliver Charles on drums (although Dean Butterworth was on the drums for multiple albums from 1999 until the release of Diamonds on the Inside) , backup/lead guitarists (featuring Marc Ford and Michael Ward), and various keyboard players including Jason Yates. While Harper's latest efforts have been solo-credited, the Innocent Criminals remain his backing band, led by Nelson's ever affable presence.

In the Lord's Arms
Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals Lyrics

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Like the wings stolen from an angel
Like petals gone from a rose
Like a dove caught in a storm

Tonight he's in the Lord's Arms

The wind it blew straight through us
And whispered to me in tongues

I was told, I was warned

Tonight he would be in the Lord's Arms
Tonight he is in the Lord's Arms

So I drink this wine to him
With each glass, a memory
He left with his crown of thorns

Tonight he's in the Lord's Arms

Tonight he's in the Lord's Arms
Tonight he's in the Lord's Arms

Overall Meaning

"In the Lord's Arms" is a beautiful and haunting tribute to someone who has passed away. The lyrics speak of loss and mourning by using powerful imagery of angels, petals, and doves - all symbolic of innocence, purity, and grace. The song describes how the singer has received a message, perhaps through the wind or some other spiritual means, that the person they loved and lost is now in the Lord's arms. The singer drinks wine to honor the memory of their loved one and acknowledges that they left with a crown of thorns - a reference to the crucifixion (and perhaps a reminder that even the most compassionate and righteous people are not immune to suffering).

Line by Line Meaning

Like the wings stolen from an angel
Just like an angel who's been stripped off their wings

Like petals gone from a rose
Just like the petals that fall off a rose

Like a dove caught in a storm
Just like a dove that's trapped in a serious storm

Tonight he's in the Lord's Arms
Tonight he's resting in the arms of the Lord

The wind it blew straight through us
The wind blew through us unchecked

And whispered to me in tongues
The wind spoke to me using an unknown language

I was told, I was warned
I was previously advised and cautioned

Tonight he would be in the Lord's Arms
Tonight he would find solace in the arms of the Lord

Tonight he is in the Lord's Arms
Tonight he is already in the Lord's Arms

So I drink this wine to him
So I raise this wine in his honor

With each glass, a memory
With every glass of wine, a memory comes back to me