Spirit in the Sky
Doctor The Medics Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's best
When they lay me down to die
Goin' on up to the spirit in the sky

Goin' on up to the Spirit in the sky
(Spirit in the sky)
That's where I'm gonna go when I die
(When I die)
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best

Prepare yourself, you know it a must
Gotta have a friend named Jesus
So you know that when you die
It's gonna recommend you to the spirit in the sky
(Spirit in the sky)

Goin' on up to the spirit in the sky
That's where I'm gonna go when I die
(When I die)
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best

Never been a sinner, I've never sinned
I've got a friend named Jesus
So you know that when I die
It's gonna set me up with the spirit in the sky

Goin' on up to the spirit in the sky
(Spirit in the sky)
That's where I'm gonna go when I die
(When I die)
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best

Goin' on up to the spirit in the sky
(Spirit in the sky)
That's where I'm gonna go when I die
(When I die)
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best

Go to the place that's the best
Go to the place that's the best




Go to the place that's the best
Go to the place that's the best

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Spirit in the Sky" by Doctor and the Medics talks about the inevitability of death and the hope of reaching a place of comfort after death. The song is a Gospel-Rock classic that uses vivid words to describe the afterlife. In the first verse, the singer talks about his comfort in knowing that he is going to the "best" place after he dies. This best place is not specified but it is implied that it is heaven. The singer of the song is excited about going to this best place and talks about going "on up" to the spirit in the sky.


In the second verse, the singer urges listeners to get prepared for death by having a friend named Jesus. The song suggests that having Jesus as a friend will enable a person to be recommended to the spirit in the sky. In the third verse, the singer prides himself in being a good person who has never sinned. He is confident that because he has a friend like Jesus, he will make it to the spirit in the sky. The song repeats the chorus several times with the singer repeating his desire to go to the place that is the best.


Line by Line Meaning

When I die and they lay me to rest
When my physical body is no longer functional and they bury me or cremate me.


I'm gonna go to the place that's best
My soul or spirit will go to a place that is best suited for me after my physical body ceases to exist.


Goin' on up to the Spirit in the sky (Spirit in the sky)
My soul or spirit is ascending to a heavenly realm, represented by the Spirit in the sky.


That's where I'm gonna go when I die (When I die)
My soul or spirit will arrive in the heavenly realm when my physical body dies.


Prepare yourself, you know it a must
It is important to prepare for the afterlife before one's physical body dies.


Gotta have a friend named Jesus
It is necessary to have a relationship with Jesus, who is believed to guide souls to the heavenly realm.


So you know that when you die
Having a relationship with Jesus will ensure that your soul or spirit is properly guided to the heavenly realm after your physical body dies.


It's gonna recommend you to the spirit in the sky (Spirit in the sky)
Jesus will recommend and guide your soul to the heavenly realm, which is symbolized as the Spirit in the sky.


Never been a sinner, I've never sinned
The singer believes that they have never committed an act that would warrant sin, or separation from God.


I've got a friend named Jesus
The singer has a relationship with Jesus, who they believe will guide their soul to the heavenly realm.


It's gonna set me up with the spirit in the sky
Jesus will make sure that the singer's soul is connected with the heavenly realm, symbolized as the Spirit in the sky.


Go to the place that's the best
The ultimate goal is to arrive in a heavenly realm that is the best suited for one's soul after their physical body dies.




Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Norman Greenbaum

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@maestroh2986

I was a DJ back in the day and this was one of 5 go-to songs that worked every time. I owe them alot.

@carissaf6909

Yes I worked in a night club and I remember this and the 1987 "Lean on Me" played in rotation.

@portalplays3760

What were the other 4?

@777STACEE

I have always loved this song. It was originally written by a Jewish artist in 1969, Norman Greenbaum and he said it only took him 15 minutes to write.

@shadowspacewhale

my mothers mom died suddenly in a motorcycle accident when my mom was 18. her family is a bit messed up and didn’t let her see her mom in the hospital when they tried to save her. my mom wanted to play this song at her funereal and wasn’t allowed to. I will be playing this song when my mom dies in memory and honor of her and her mother

@mariamatranga6787

11¹11111¹111111¹1¹¹¹¹¹¹1¹¹11¹¹¹

@markparfett5380

It is amazing. Smile!

@l34052

when I was a kid my nan used to love this song, I can still see her stood in her doorway dancing to it, R.I.P. nan miss u forever

@Sherminator-zs2cl

Mine too. AMEN

@marktrebell9455

I bought this song on my home from work when it came out,  when I got home my mum told me that my Nan had passed away I played this song over and over again it still brings a tear to my eye now

More Comments

More Versions