Berlin, who was Jewish, was one of the few Tin Pan Alley/Broadway songwriters who wrote both lyrics and music for his songs. Although he never learned to read music beyond a rudimentary level, he composed over 3,000 songs. Many of his songs, including "God Bless America", "White Christmas", "Alexander's Ragtime Band", and "There's No Business Like Show Business," left an indelible mark on American music and culture. He produced 17 film scores and 21 Broadway scores, in addition to his individual songs.
Get Thee Behind Me Satan
Irving Berlin Lyrics
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I want to resist
But the moon is low and I can't say "no"
Get thee behind me
Get thee behind me, satan
I mustn't be kissed
But the moon is low and I may let go
Someone I'm mad about
Is waiting in the night for me
Someone that I mustn't see
Satan, get thee behind me
He promised to wait
But I won't appear and he may come here
Satan, he's at my gate
Get thee behind me
Stay where you are
It's too late
Irving Berlin's "Get Thee Behind Me Satan" is a song about resisting temptation. The person addressed is Satan, who represents the force of temptation that leads a person into sin. The singer is struggling to resist this force and is asking Satan to leave them alone.
The song begins with the singer acknowledging their desire to resist Satan's temptation: "Get thee behind me, Satan/I want to resist." However, they are struggling because "the moon is low and I can't say no." The moon may represent the singer's inner desires, which are difficult to restrain when circumstances allow for indulgence.
Later in the song, the singer reveals that someone they are "mad about" is waiting for them, and they know they shouldn't see them. The singer is torn between their desire to resist temptation and their desire to be with this person. They implore Satan to "get thee behind me" because they know that giving in to temptation will lead to trouble.
The final verse suggests that the singer has decided not to see the person they are tempted by: "He promised to wait/But I won't appear and he may come here/Satan, he's at my gate/Get thee behind me/Stay where you are/It's too late." They have resolved to resist the temptation that Satan represents, even if it means losing the person they desire.
Overall, "Get Thee Behind Me Satan" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of giving in to temptation. The singer recognizes the allure of temptation but ultimately decides that it is not worth the risk of falling into sin.
Line by Line Meaning
Get thee behind me, satan
I acknowledge your temptation
I want to resist
I know I should resist
But the moon is low and I can't say "no"
The romantic ambiance is too strong and I might give in to temptation
Get thee behind me
I need you to leave and stop tempting me
I mustn't be kissed
I know I shouldn't give in to physical temptation
But the moon is low and I may let go
The romantic ambiance is too strong and I might give in to physical temptation
Someone I'm mad about
There is someone I am deeply in love with
Is waiting in the night for me
That person is waiting for me somewhere
Someone that I mustn't see
However, I know I should not go and see that person
Satan, get thee behind me
I need you to leave and stop tempting me
He promised to wait
The person I love promised to wait for me
But I won't appear and he may come here
But I might not be able to resist and he might come to me
Satan, he's at my gate
I am aware that he is trying to tempt me
Get thee behind me
I need you to leave and stop tempting me
Stay where you are
I want you to stay away from me and not try to tempt me anymore
It's too late
I cannot give in to temptation anymore and it's time for you to leave
Contributed by Dominic C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.