Dead Man Walking
John McCutcheon Lyrics


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Heaven knows I'm a broken man
These tired bones they can barely stand
The ways of the world oh I lay in my grave
To the darkest of nights when You call my name

Your love Your love oh it set me free
Oh no guilt no shame got a hold on me
Your love Your love well it opened my eyes
I was a dead man walking till You gave me life

Grace it comes with a price I'm told
Took the light of the world just to save my soul
But in the valley of the shadow of the cross you'll find
Oh no brokenness when I come alive

Your love broke the chain
And I'm free from the guilt and shame
Love opened my eyes

Oh Your love Your love it set me free
Oh no guilt no shame got a hold on me
Your love Your love well it opened my eyes
I was a dead man walking till Lord
I was a dead man walking till Lord




I was a dead man walking till Lord
You gave me life

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Dead Man Walking" talk about the transformative power of love and grace. In the first stanza, the singer acknowledges his broken condition and how his tired bones can barely stand. He likens his state to being in a grave and in the dark, but it's only when he hears his name called that he experiences a change. The next stanza talks about how this change came through love that set him free from guilt and shame. He expresses how this love opened his eyes and gave him life. The bridge talks about the price of grace and how it took the sacrifice of the light of the world just to save his soul. However, now that he's come alive in the valley of the shadow of the cross, he's no longer broken. The last stanza reiterates the freedom and life he's found in love.


The theme of transformation through love and grace is a recurring one in many Christian songs, and "Dead Man Walking" is no different. The imagery of a dead man walking signifies a hopeless state of being before experiencing this transformative power. The song is about someone who has found new life through faith and the love of God. The lyrics also underline the importance of sacrifice and the price of grace, which was paid by Jesus Christ. This song is often performed in churches, and its upbeat tempo and catchy tune make it a favorite among many worshippers.


Line by Line Meaning

Heaven knows I'm a broken man
I am completely broken and cannot fix myself, not even for heaven.


These tired bones they can barely stand
My soul is worn out and weak; I can barely keep going.


The ways of the world oh I lay in my grave
Living according to the world's rules has left me dead inside.


To the darkest of nights when You call my name
At my lowest point, You reached out to me and called me by name.


Your love Your love oh it set me free
Your love has given me complete freedom.


Oh no guilt no shame got a hold on me
I am completely guilt-free and free from any kind of shame.


Your love Your love well it opened my eyes
Your love has opened my eyes to see things differently.


I was a dead man walking till You gave me life
Without Your love, I was spiritually dead; but You gave me true life.


Grace it comes with a price I'm told
I have been taught that grace is not free.


Took the light of the world just to save my soul
Your sacrifice was necessary to save my soul.


But in the valley of the shadow of the cross you'll find
When I am in my darkest moments, if I look to the cross, I can find hope.


Oh no brokenness when I come alive
When I am alive in You, I am no longer broken.


Your love broke the chain
Your love has broken the chains that were holding me captive.


And I'm free from the guilt and shame
I no longer feel guilt or shame because of Your love.


I was a dead man walking till Lord
Without You, I was spiritually dead.


You gave me life
Your love has given me true life.




Writer(s): Bruce Springsteen

Contributed by Joseph F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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