Kingdom Come
David Bowie Lyrics


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Well I walked in the pouring rain
And I heard a voice that cries "It's all in vain"
The voice of doom was shining in my room
I just need one day somewhere far away
Lord, I just need one day

Well, I've been breaking these rocks
And cutting this hay
Yes, I'll be breaking these rocks
It was my price to pay

Oh, the river's so muddy, but it may come clear
And I know too well what's keeping me here
I'm just the slave of a burning ray
Oh, give me the night, I can't take another sight
Please, please give me the night

Been breaking this rocks
And cutting this hay
Yes, I'll be breaking these rocks
What's my price to pay?

Sun keeps beating down on me, wall's a mile high
Up in the tower they're watching me, hoping I'm gonna die

(I won't be breaking no rocks)
I won't be breaking no rocks
(I won't be breaking no rocks)
I said, I won't be breaking no rocks
(I won't be breaking no rocks)
Will pardon them (I won't be breaking no rocks)
Oh-oh-oh-oh
(I won't be breaking no rocks)
(I won't be breaking no rocks)
When the kingdom comes
When the kingdom comes
When the kingdom comes
When the kingdom comes, when the kingdom comes
When the kingdom comes




When the kingdom comes
When the kingdom comes

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to David Bowie's song Kingdom Come are a reflection of a person's desire for a better life, to be free and to escape the hardships and struggles that come with daily living. The first verse describes a feeling of hopelessness, as the voice of doom echoes in the singer's mind, stating that everything is in vain. The singer yearns for just one day somewhere far away from all this, and his plea for reprieve becomes more evident as the song progresses. The second verse follows, telling of the painful and arduous labour he has been subjected to in the form of breaking rocks and cutting hay. He acknowledges that this is the price he has to pay and that he is just a slave to the burning sun.


The chorus introduces a glimmer of hope as he asks for the darkness of the night, a respite from the harsh reality of his daily life. The repetition of the phrase "breaking these rocks" highlights the frustration and struggle he feels. The final verses reveal the full extent of his struggle, with the sun beating down on him constantly and the feeling that he is being watched and hoped to die. The song ends with a declaration that once the kingdom comes, he won't be breaking any more rocks.


Overall, the lyrics of Kingdom Come touch on themes of struggle, despair, and the desire for freedom. The repetitive nature of the verses and the harmonica riff lend a sense of monotony and frustration, while the chorus brings some hope and release.


Line by Line Meaning

Well I walked in the pouring rain
I am in a difficult situation and very lost.


And I heard a voice that cries "It's all in vain"
I am feeling hopeless and defeated.


The voice of doom was shining in my room
I am surrounded by negativity, even in my own space.


I just need one day somewhere far away
I am desperate for an escape from my current situation.


Lord, I just need one day
I am hoping and praying for a way out.


Well, I've been breaking these rocks
I have been struggling with difficult and exhausting work.


And cutting this hay
I have been doing very menial and unfulfilling work.


Yes, I'll be breaking these rocks
I know that there is still more hard work ahead of me.


It was my price to pay
This difficult work was my punishment for something I did.


Oh, the river's so muddy, but it may come clear
Although things seem bleak now, there is hope for a brighter future.


And I know too well what's keeping me here
I understand the things that are preventing me from moving forward.


I'm just the slave of a burning ray
I feel trapped and controlled by something that I cannot escape.


Oh, give me the night, I can't take another sight
I need a break from the harsh reality of my situation, even if just for a little bit.


Please, please give me the night
I am begging for some reprieve from the difficulties I am facing.


Been breaking this rocks
I have been working very hard.


And cutting this hay
I have been doing very menial and unfulfilling work.


Yes, I'll be breaking these rocks
I know that there is still more hard work ahead of me.


What's my price to pay?
Why must I be punished with such difficult tasks?


Sun keeps beating down on me, wall's a mile high
Everything in my life feels oppressive and insurmountable.


Up in the tower they're watching me, hoping I'm gonna die
My enemies are hoping to see me fail and suffer.


(I won't be breaking no rocks)
I will not allow myself to be beaten down by difficult work.


I said, I won't be breaking no rocks
I am standing up for myself and refusing to be defeated.


(I won't be breaking no rocks)
I will not allow myself to be beaten down by difficult work.


Will pardon them (I won't be breaking no rocks)
I will not let my enemies win and make me suffer.


Oh-oh-oh-oh
I am feeling defiant and strong.


(I won't be breaking no rocks)
I will not allow myself to be beaten down by difficult work.


(I won't be breaking no rocks)
I will not allow myself to be beaten down by difficult work.


When the kingdom comes
When things get better.


When the kingdom comes
When things get better.


When the kingdom comes
When things get better.


When the kingdom comes, when the kingdom comes
When things get better.


When the kingdom comes
When things get better.


When the kingdom comes
When things get better.


When the kingdom comes
When things get better.




Lyrics © Rocking Gorillas Music Ltda
Written by: Tom Verlaine

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@bullyhunter9191

Well I walked in the pouring rain
And I heard a voice that cries "It's all in vain"
The voice of doom was shining in my room
I just need one day somewhere far away
Lord, I just need one day

Well, I've been breaking these rocks
And cutting this hay
Yes, I'll be breaking these rocks
It was my price to pay

Oh, the river's so muddy, but it may come clear
And I know too well what's keeping me here
I'm just the slave of a burning ray
Oh, give me the night, I can't take another sight
Please, please give me the night

Been breaking this rocks
And cutting this hay
Yes, I'll be breaking these rocks
What's my price to pay?

Sun keeps beating down on me, wall's a mile high
Up in the tower they're watching me, hoping I'm gonna die

I won't be breaking no rocks
(I won't be breaking no rocks)
I said, I won't be breaking no rocks
(I won't be breaking no rocks)
Will pardon them (I won't be breaking no rocks)
Oh-oh-oh-oh
(I won't be breaking no rocks)
(I won't be breaking no rocks)
When the kingdom comes
When the kingdom comes
When the kingdom comes
When the kingdom comes, when the kingdom comes
When the kingdom comes
When the kingdom comes
When the kingdom comes



All comments from YouTube:

@adjameson

Somehow I managed to make it until today without knowing that Tom Verlaine wrote this (despite owning this album on vinyl for ages). R.I.P. Tom Verlaine, one of the greats.

@ezechielamadeus2828

Riposa in pace signore Verlaine ❤️

@troutmask6800

I was shocked also. Turns out Bowie was a fan of Television. Ironically, Brian Eno did a recording session with them in 1974, but Island records passed on it. Verlaine also was very unhappy with the final mix.

I suppose Eno wasn’t experienced enough to produce other bands at the time.

@adjameson

@@troutmask6800 I did not know Eno worked with Television that early! Wild.

@TScardoa

Me too! Just found out a few days… Great song. R.I.P TV !

@Dermot2927

A great song by Tom but Bowie absolutely brings it to life.

@danw1374

Indeed. And Robert Fripps guitar riffs are smoking.

@jonjahn5769

Tom Verlaine of Television indeed penned this song for his self totled debut album in 1979!

@HotStrange

As much as I love Television, I do not like Toms version. Bowie definitely brings it to life.

@williamdougan9769

Agreed. love Tom's songs though as well.

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