Gene was born Gert Smit in 1944 in the town of Krugersdorp in the then Transvaal province of South Africa. He died at the age of 53 years, on July 3, 1998, of cancer.
He won his first talent competition at the age of 15, in Durban's "Little Top". Still in his teens, Gene formed The Blue Angels, later to become The Falcons, in 1963, with whom he played guitar and sang his famous gritty-blues-style songs. The original line up of the Falcons were George Usher (lead guitar), Jannie Heynes (bass guitar), Clive Swegman (rhythm guitar), Frank Rickson (drums). They played many packed out shows, becoming a staple of the dance scene in South Africa, particularly Durban.
Hands
Gene Rockwell Lyrics
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Sweet, sweet Jesus
My life's in good hands with you
Tell me, Jesus
Sweet, sweet Jesus
What is it you want me to do?
I'm a poor man in this world
All I really can do is to sing some for you
When your heavenly gates open to angels voices
I wanna be there
To sing my part too
Jesus
Sweet, sweet Jesus
My life's in good hands with you
Tell me, Jesus
Sweet, sweet Jesus
What is it you want me to do?
I was a beggar in my heart
Till I saw the light
When I heard voices singing rock of ages for me
When the old river Jordan meets up eternity
I wanna be there rowing ashore
Jesus
Sweet, sweet Jesus
My life's in good hands with you
Tell me, Jesus
Sweet, sweet Jesus
What is it you want me to do?
I was the shepherd of my day
But now I know well
That the Lord of my father
Is the one who can tell
Where the dreams of a rich man
Or maybe the poor
I wanna be there
And I'm making sure
Jesus
Sweet, sweet Jesus
My life's in good hands with you
Tell me, Jesus
Sweet, sweet Jesus
What is it you want me to do?
The lyrics of Gene Rockwell's "Jesus Sweet Jesus" convey a deep sense of faith and dependence on Jesus Christ. He starts the song by declaring that his life is in good hands with Jesus and asks what he wants him to do. Gene expresses his humble position in the world as a poor man but declares that he is a rich man in song. He acknowledges that all he can do is sing for Jesus.
In the second verse, he talks about how he was a beggar in his heart until he saw the light, which is most likely a reference to his conversion to Christianity. He describes how hearing voices sing "rock of ages" gave him hope and a better understanding of his faith. He also mentions the biblical reference to the river Jordan, indicating that he wants to be there when he goes to heaven.
In the third verse, Gene states that he was a shepherd in his day, but he now knows that it's the Lord who can tell where the dreams of both rich and poor lie. He expresses his desire to be there and make sure he is living according to God's plan for his life.
Overall, the song expresses a deep faith in Jesus Christ and a desire to live a life that is pleasing to him.
Line by Line Meaning
Jesus
Addressing Jesus, the singer's savior
Sweet, sweet Jesus
Emphasizing the singer's affection towards Jesus
My life's in good hands with you
Expressing confidence in Jesus to take care of the singer's life
Tell me, Jesus
Asking Jesus a question
What is it you want me to do?
Asking for guidance from Jesus in regards to the singer's purpose
I'm a poor man in this world
Admitting the singer's lack of material wealth
But a rich man in song
Acknowledging the singer's talent in singing
All I really can do is to sing some for you
Recognizing singing as the one thing the singer can offer to Jesus
When your heavenly gates open to angels voices
Referring to entering heaven upon death
I wanna be there
Expressing the singer's desire to enter heaven
To sing my part too
Expressing the singer's desire to continue singing in heaven
I was a beggar in my heart
Admitting the singer's spiritual poverty before finding Jesus
Till I saw the light
Referring to finding Jesus, and therefore, gaining spiritual enlightenment
When I heard voices singing rock of ages for me
Referring to hearing a gospel song that spoke to the singer's heart
When the old river Jordan meets up eternity
Referring to crossing the river Jordan as a metaphor for entering heaven
I wanna be there rowing ashore
Expressing the singer's desire to enter heaven and reach its shore
I was the shepherd of my day
Referring to the singer's past leadership role
But now I know well
Acknowledging that the singer has gained important knowledge
That the Lord of my father
Referring to the same God that the singer's father followed
Is the one who can tell
Asserting that only God can provide true guidance
Where the dreams of a rich man
Highlighting that wealth doesn't guarantee happiness
Or maybe the poor
Acknowledging that both rich and poor individuals can have similar desires and goals
I wanna be there
Expressing the singer's desire to be with God
And I'm making sure
Asserting that the singer is doing their utmost to follow God's guidance
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lynette James
A friend sang this at my hubby's funeral. ❤
Lynette James
Beautiful
Sonica Van Rhyn
Kosbaar!!!