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Shelter Me
Joe Cocker Lyrics


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This ain't no place for losers
Or the innocent of mind
It's a full time job
For anyone to stay alive

The streets have shallow boundaries
For the war that's everyone
What a wasteland for
Broken dreams and hired guns

Shelter me, baby shelter me
When I'm sitting like I'm losing ground
Shelter me

I've gone to sleep with one eye open
The other rolls my tears
In the darkness I can hide my heart
But none of my fears

In the morning like a soldier
I look closed up battleground
Another day, another [Incomprehensible] me
And the world goes round

Shelter me
Won't you shelter me?
When I'm sitting like I'm losing ground
Shelter me

Won't you shelter me?
Oh, shelter me
When I lose control of my only home
Shelter me

Every time I tumble down
I wanna pack it up and leave this town
But when I finally get the nerve
Get cleared out of the shoes
I'm thanking you, I'm thanking you

Baby shelter me, please shelter me
When I'm sitting like I'm losing ground
Shelter me

Won't you shelter me?
When I lose control of my only home
Shelter me

Won't you shelter me?
Oh, shelter me, baby please
Shelter me

Stay back and shelter me
Come on and shelter me
When I lose control of my only home
Shelter me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Shelter Me" by Joe Cocker describe a harsh and unforgiving world where only the strong survive. The streets are full of danger, and it's a constant battle just to stay alive. The singer asks for someone to shelter him, to protect him from the darkness and the pain that surrounds him. He's lost and alone, and he needs someone to help him find his way.


The opening lines, "This ain't no place for losers / Or the innocent of mind" suggest that the world is a tough place to live in, and only those who are strong and brave can hope to succeed. The streets are a "wasteland" full of people with broken dreams and hired guns, and the singer feels like he's constantly under attack. He knows that he needs someone to help him weather the storm, someone to be there for him when he's feeling lost and alone.


The chorus repeats the plea for help, with the singer asking for someone to "shelter me" when he's "losing ground" or "losing control of my only home". The song is a cry for help, a plea for someone to come to the singer's aid and provide him with the protection and support he needs to survive.


Line by Line Meaning

This ain't no place for losers
This is not a place for people who have already lost and given up


Or the innocent of mind
Nor for those who are gullible or naive


It's a full time job
It's a constant struggle and requires all of one's effort and attention


For anyone to stay alive
In order to survive in this harsh environment


The streets have shallow boundaries
There are no clear boundaries or rules to abide by in the dangerous streets


For the war that's everyone
Because everyone is fighting for their own survival


What a wasteland for
It's a bleak and desolate place for


Broken dreams and hired guns
Those who have lost hope and those who use violence for money


Shelter me, baby shelter me
Protect me from the dangers that surround me


When I'm sitting like I'm losing ground
When I am feeling defeated and powerless


I've gone to sleep with one eye open
I cannot fully let my guard down even when I'm resting


The other rolls my tears
I am constantly sad and feel helpless


In the darkness I can hide my heart
I keep my emotions hidden from others


But none of my fears
But I cannot escape my fears


In the morning like a soldier
I wake up and prepare myself for another day of battle


I look closed up battleground
I see the harsh reality of my situation


Another day, another [Incomprehensible] me
Another day of facing my struggles and fears.


And the world goes round
Life goes on, and the harsh reality of the world continues


Won't you shelter me?
Please protect me from harm


Oh, shelter me, baby please
Please take care of me and keep me safe


Every time I tumble down
Whenever I fail or become vulnerable


I wanna pack it up and leave this town
I feel like giving up and leaving this place behind


But when I finally get the nerve
But when I muster up the courage


Get cleared out of the shoes
Leave everything behind


I'm thanking you, I'm thanking you
I am grateful for your protection and support


Stay back and shelter me
Please don't leave me alone and continue to protect me


Come on and shelter me
Please protect me


When I lose control of my only home
When I no longer have control of my own life




Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: NICK DISTEFANO

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@LucioRozendo

Proteja-me
joe cocker

Isso não é lugar para perdedores
Ou o inocente da mente
É um trabalho em tempo integral
Para qualquer um, permanecer vivo
As ruas têm limites rasos
Para a guerra é todo mundo
Que terreno baldio para
Sonhos desfeitos e armas contratadas
Proteja-me, baby, proteja-me
Quando estou sentado como se estivesse perdendo terreno
Proteja-me
eu fui dormir
Mas quando eu abro
O outro vai minhas lágrimas
Na escuridão
eu posso eu posso esconder meu coração
Mas não dos meus medos
Pela manhã
Como um soldado
Eu pareço um campo de batalha fechado
Outro dia
Outra parte de mim
E o mundo dá voltas
Proteja-me
você não vai me abrigar
Quando estou sentado como se estivesse perdendo terreno
Proteja-me
você não vai me abrigar
Oh, abrigue-me
Quando eu perco o controle
Da minha própria casa
Proteja-me
Toda vez que eu caio
Eu quero fazer as malas e deixar esta cidade
Mas quando eu finalmente tenho coragem
Tire os sapatos
estou te agradecendo
estou te agradecendo
bebê me abrigar
Por favor, me proteja
Quando estou sentado e perdendo terreno
Proteja-me
você não vai me abrigar
Quando eu perco o controle
estou sozinho
Proteja-me
você não vai me abrigar
Oh, abrigue-me
Querida, por favor
Oh, abrigue-me
Fique para trás e me proteja
Venha e me abrigue
Quando eu perco o controle
estou sozinho
Proteja-me


Shelter Me
Joe Cocker

This ain't no place for losers
Or the innocent of mind
It's a full time job
For anyone, to stay alive
The streets have shallow boundaries
For the war that's everyone
What a wasteland for
Broken dreams and hired guns
Shelter me, baby shelter me
When I'm sitting like I'm losing ground
Shelter me
I've gone to sleep
But when I open
The other goes my tears
In the darkness
I can I can hide my heart
But non of my fears
In the morning
Like a soldier
I look closed up battleground
Another day
Another part of me
And the world goes round
Shelter me
Won't you shelter me
When I'm sitting like I'm losing ground
Shelter me
Won't you shelter me
Oh, shelter me
When I lose control
Of my own home
Shelter me
Everytime time I tumble down
I want to pack it up and leave this town
But when I finally get the nerve
Get cleared out of the shoes
I'm thanking you
I'm thanking you
Baby shelter me
Please shelter me
When I'm sitting down, and losing ground
Shelter me
Won't you shelter me
When I lose control
Am I alone
Shelter me
Won't you shelter me
Oh, shelter me
Baby please
Oh, shelter me
Stay back and shelter me
Come on and shelter me
When I lose control
Am I alone
Shelter me



All comments from YouTube:

@stephenwebster3006

One of Sheffield's finest

@steveoakes8999

Correct.. And a blade as well

@frantisekhabrda4586

Mr. Joe was the Best One, the Beast One, sometimes. Never forget. RIP

@robertzubatsky7748

This song resonates today. Shelter & protect us all. RIP Joe

@JulieHalligan-go8ov

Such a beautiful song. Great singer. Thank u Joe. ❤️

@tkennedy007

RIP Joe. I'll always love this song and "You Can Leave Your Hat On"

@JoanMoreauyt

Malheureusement c’est une autre chanson

@chrisharro

" He was all those blind criers and crazy beggars and maimed men who summon up a strength we'll never know to bawl out their souls in the streets." - Albert Goldman

@adamsb2421

Love that sax!!

@razorramon4936

Great Joe

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