Spirits in the Sky
Dr. & the Medics Lyrics

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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 song "Spirit in the Sky" by Doctor & the Medics is a song with religious themes that deals with the idea of the afterlife. The lyrics suggest that after death, the singer hopes to go to the place that is best - the "spirit in the sky." The song tends to infer that if one has a friend named Jesus, it will "recommend" them to the "spirit in the sky."

The song's lyrics celebrate the idea of being saved and going to heaven, and that there's no need to fear death. This message of the song can be interpreted as something that accompanies passed souls to the afterlife. The song is a reminder that we should live as though we have everything to live for and not be afraid to pass away to another life.

Line by Line Meaning

When I die and they lay me to rest
Upon my death and burial

I'm gonna go to the place that's best
My soul will ascend to heaven

Goin' on up to the spirit in the sky
Ascending to heaven to be with God

(Spirit in the sky)
Referencing God and the afterlife

That's where I'm gonna go when I die
My soul will rest in heaven when I die

(When I die)
Referencing the inevitability of death

Prepare yourself, you know it a must
It is important to be ready for death

Gotta have a friend named Jesus
A relationship with Jesus is necessary for salvation

So you know that when you die
Ensuring that one's soul will be saved

It's gonna recommend you to the spirit in the sky
Jesus will intercede for your soul to be welcomed into heaven

Never been a sinner, I've never sinned
Claiming to have lived a life without sin