Dead Man Walking
John Waller Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I am a dead man sure as I'm living
I am a dead man though I am breathing
I'm dead and gone, this is my song
I'm a dead man walking

Singing I am crucified with Christ
No longer I live, now the life in me is only in Him
I am seated with Christ, I'm not coming back
All my life I've never been so alive
I am crucified, I'm crucified

Now every day my reason for living
Is now in dying, my life surrender
I'm dead and gone, this is my song
I'm a dead man walking

Singing I am crucified with Christ
No longer I live, now the life in me is only in Him
Now I am seated with Christ, I'm not coming back
And all my life I've never been so alive
I am crucified

If we try to save our lives we will lose them, we will lose them
If we lay them down and die we will find them
By grace through faith in Christ alone
Come and sing the dead man's song

No longer I live, now the life in me is only in Him
Now I'm seated with Christ, I'm not coming back
All my life I've never been so alive
I am crucified, I am crucified, I am crucified

I'm a dead man walking




I am crucified, I am crucified, I am crucified
I'm a dead man singing

Overall Meaning

John Waller's song "Dead Man Walking" is a powerful proclamation of a person who has surrendered their life to Christ and embraced the call to live for Him. The lyrics express the concept of dying to self and being reborn in Christ, depicted through the image of a "dead man walking."


The first verse declares that although the singer is physically alive, he is spiritually dead to his old ways of life. The chorus then affirms that the singer is crucified with Christ and that his new life is only found in Him. The second verse continues with the theme of dying to self, stating that the singer's reason for living is now in dying to himself and surrendering to God.


The bridge emphasizes the idea that attempting to save one's life results in losing it, while laying it down for Christ leads to finding true life. The song ultimately ends with the repetition of the phrase "I'm a dead man walking," affirming that the singer will continue to live for Christ and die to self.


Overall, "Dead Man Walking" is a call to live for Christ and surrender one's life fully to Him. It encourages listeners to embrace the new life offered through the death and resurrection of Christ and to let go of their old life.


Line by Line Meaning

I am a dead man sure as I'm living
Despite being alive, I have surrendered my life to Jesus and consider myself to be spiritually dead.


I am a dead man though I am breathing
My physical body functions, but my soul has been given over to Christ and is dead to the sinful nature of the world.


I'm dead and gone, this is my song
I have put my old self to death and now live for Christ, singing about my transformation.


I'm a dead man walking
I am a living testimony of my spiritual death and rebirth in Christ.


Singing I am crucified with Christ
I have identified with the death of Christ and have given up my old ways to follow Him.


No longer I live, now the life in me is only in Him
I have surrendered my own will and desires to Christ and allow Him to live and work through me.


I am seated with Christ, I'm not coming back
I know that my eternal destiny is secure in Christ and I will not return to a life of sin.


All my life I've never been so alive
I have never experienced true life and purpose until I gave my life to Christ.


Now every day my reason for living
My purpose for living is to die to myself and live for Christ every day.


Is now in dying, my life surrender
My life is no longer about self-preservation but complete surrender to Christ and His will for me.


If we try to save our lives we will lose them, we will lose them
Trying to cling to our old ways and desires will only lead to spiritual death and separation from God.


If we lay them down and die we will find them
By giving up our old ways and surrendering to Christ, we will find true life and purpose.


By grace through faith in Christ alone
Salvation and transformation come only through the grace of God and faith in Jesus.


Come and sing the dead man's song
Join me in celebrating the spiritual death of our old selves and the new life we have in Christ.


I am crucified
I have died to my old self and have been reborn in Christ.


I'm a dead man singing
As a believer in Christ, I am not afraid to celebrate my spiritual death and new life in Him.




Contributed by Juliana W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

Jean Gagnon


on Our Decree

amen