It may also be an incorrect tag for Stephen Schwartz who composed the musical of the same name.
By My Side
Godspell Lyrics
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Where are you going?
Can you take me with you?
For my hand is cold
And needs warmth
Where are you going?
Far beyond where the horizon lies
Where the horizon lies
Oh please, take me with you
Let me skip the road with you
I can dare myself
I can dare myself
I'll put a pebble in my shoe
And watch me walk (watch me walk)
I can walk
(chorus) I can walk!
I shall call the pebble Dare
I shall call the pebble Dare
We will walk, we will talk together
We will talk (chorus) about walking
Dare shall be carried
(chorus) And when we both have had enough
I will take him from my shoe, singing
(chorus) "Meet your new road!"
Then I'll take your hand
Finally glad
(chorus) Finally glad
That you are here
By my side
(Chorus)
By my side
By my side
By my side
(Spoken, by Judas) (Matt. 26:14-16)
Then the man they called Judas Iscariot
Went to the chief priests, and said
"What will you give me to betray Him to you?"
They paid him thirty pieces of silver.
And from that moment, he began to look out for an opportunity
To betray Him.
(Chorus:)
By my side
By my side
By my side
By my side
The lyrics of Godspell's song, "By My Side", have a clear message of companionship and longing for warmth and company. The song begins with a plea for someone to take the singer with them, as they venture beyond the horizon where the land blends into the blue skies. The lyrics depict a yearning for connection, as the singer asks to walk with the person to whom they are speaking. The lyrics describe putting a pebble in their shoe in order to challenge themselves and overcome obstacles while walking, naming the pebble "Dare".
The chorus of the song emphasizes the joy and relief that comes from finally having a companion by one's side, who can provide the warmth and comfort that the singer has been seeking. The final lines of the song, spoken by Judas, are a stark contrast to the rest of the lyrics, as they narrate his betrayal of Jesus and his search for an opportunity to sell him out. However, these final lines continue the theme of companionship, as Judas seeks out a group of people to whom he can belong, even if it means betraying his friend.
Interestingly, "By My Side" wasn't part of the original script for Godspell, but was added for the 1973 film adaptation, which included several new songs.
Line by Line Meaning
Where are you going?
Asking where the person is headed
Can you take me with you?
Asking for permission to accompany the person
For my hand is cold
Stating the reason for needing warmth
And needs warmth
Reiterating the need for warmth
Far beyond where the horizon lies
Describing a faraway destination
And the land sinks into mellow blueness
Describing the scenery along the way
Let me skip the road with you
Requesting to travel with joy and abandon
I can dare myself
Expressing confidence and bravery
I'll put a pebble in my shoe
Deliberately seeking discomfort as a challenge
And watch me walk (watch me walk)
Boasting about the ability to overcome challenges
I shall call the pebble Dare
Giving the challenge a name
We will walk, we will talk together
Emphasizing the companionship during the challenge
We will talk (chorus) about walking
Discussing the shared experience of overcoming obstacles
Dare shall be carried
Acknowledging the difficulty of the challenge
And when we both have had enough
Expecting the challenge to become difficult
I will take him from my shoe, singing
Celebrating the completion of the challenge
(chorus) "Meet your new road!"
Announcing a new journey that awaits
Finally glad
Expressing happiness and contentment
That you are here
Grateful for the person's companionship
By my side
Repeating the importance of companionship
By my side
Affirming the need for continued companionship
By my side
Continuing to emphasize the importance of companionship
Then the man they called Judas Iscariot
Went to the chief priests, and said
"What will you give me to betray Him to you?"
They paid him thirty pieces of silver.
And from that moment, he began to look out for an opportunity
To betray Him.
A narration of Judas' betrayal of Jesus
(Chorus:)
By my side
By my side
By my side
By my side
Repeating the importance of companionship
Contributed by Zachary P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@MadBadSadAndGlad
Gotta say "by my side" is simply one of the most beautiful songs ive ever heard...
@brock36900
I played keyboards for 3 different productions of Godspell. My parents loved to come see the shows I was involved in, but because I did mot think they would understand or appreciate Godspell’s quirky vibe I did not offer until they asked what I was currently involved in, and expressed interest in seeing it. After a Saturday evening performance I headed out to the lobby not knowing what to expect. My father could hardly speak he was so moved, and had clearly been weeping. I should have trusted that true to form, Godspell always works it’s. God-inspired magic.
@ralcst-1977
There was NEVER a better cast than these!!! The Original and the BEST!!!
@LillyBunnyBoo
Ya know this isn't the original cast, right? LMAO
@maryvandeusen5554
Yes there has. My cast mates at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Evansville, IN. in 1995. Seven packed houses and three command performances. Excellent, professional cast. I miss them all today! The experience led me to study The Bible and it changed my life.
@prayingforhealing4039
I have seen much better casts and more moving renditions. I only wish I could get a copy of them.
@carmencaamano9434
No!; there are most off that!! Come with me !;;
@cchevy936
Victor Garber is super gay in this. (He’s not str8). Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
@TheEurokrafts
My God! Not to be so shallow, but Victor has the best facial structure and cheekbones. Like an Adonis.
@jarbascardoso
I enter the time machine and return to my 14 years old. 1973. wonderful time I had the chance to be a normal child, without charge, without anything that could interfere with my adolescence.