Why Me
Johnny Cash Lyrics


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Why me Lord, what have I ever done
To deserve even one Of the pleasures I've known
Tell me Lord, what did I ever do
That was worth loving you
Or the kindness you've shown.

Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so
Help me Jesus
I know what I am
Now that I know that I've need you so
Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand.

Tell me Lord, if you think there's a way I can try to repay
All I've taken from you
Maybe Lord, I can show someone else
What I've been through myself
On my way back to you.

Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so
Help me Jesus
I know what I am




Now that I know that I've need you so
Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Johnny Cash's song "Why Me" revolve around themes of gratitude, redemption, and faith. The singer is overwhelmed by the blessings he has received in his life and feels undeserving of them. He questions why he has been so lucky and wonders what he has done to deserve the kindness of God. The singer then admits to wasting his life but acknowledges his need for Jesus to help him find his way back to God. He asks for guidance on how to repay the blessings he has received and hopes to use his experiences to help others who may be going through similar struggles.


The first stanza of the song emphasizes the singer's sense of unworthiness. He cannot understand why he has been given so much in his life, and he questions what he could have possibly done to deserve it. The second stanza is more introspective, where the singer acknowledges his faults and admits that he has not made the most of the blessings he has received. He realizes that he needs Jesus to help him find his way back to God and to set him on the right path. The final stanza is more hopeful, with the singer seeking guidance on how to use his experiences to help others and to ultimately return to God.


Overall, the song reflects on the human experience of feeling both grateful for and undeserving of the blessings that come our way. It highlights the importance of faith in finding redemption and transforming our lives to help others.


Line by Line Meaning

Why me Lord, what have I ever done
I am grateful for all the blessings I've received, but I don't know if I deserve them.


To deserve even one Of the pleasures I've known
I am blessed beyond measure and I have enjoyed many pleasures in life, but I wonder if I truly deserve them.


Tell me Lord, what did I ever do
I am wondering what I did to deserve God's love and kindness.


That was worth loving you Or the kindness you've shown.
I feel like no matter what I've done, it couldn't possibly compare to the love and kindness God has shown me.


Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so
I admit that I have not always lived up to my full potential and have wasted some of the blessings God has given me.


Help me Jesus
I am asking for God's help to become a better person and make better use of my blessings.


I know what I am
I recognize that I am imperfect and have made mistakes in the past.


Now that I know that I've need you so
I realize that I cannot do this on my own and I need God's help and guidance.


Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand.
I am putting my faith and trust in God to guide and protect me as I try to become a better person.


Tell me Lord, if you think there's a way I can try to repay
I am asking God if there is anything I can do to repay Him for all of the blessings and kindness He has shown me.


All I've taken from you
I feel like I have taken so much from God without giving anything back in return.


Maybe Lord, I can show someone else What I've been through myself
I hope that by sharing my experiences and struggles with others, I can help them in some way and maybe even bring them closer to God.


On my way back to you.
I am on a journey to become a better person and to grow closer to God.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KRIS KRISTOFFERSON

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

@DantasForasteiro

Why me Lord
What have I ever done
To deserve even one
Of the blessings I've known
Why me Lord
What did I ever do
That was worth love from you
And the kindness you've shown
Lord help me, Jesus
I've wasted it so
Help me, Jesus
I know what I am
Now that I know
That I've needed you so
Help me, Jesus
My soul's in your hand
Try me Lord
If you think there's a way
That I can repay
What I've taken from you
Maybe Lord
I can show someone else
What I've been through myself
On my way back to you
Lord help me, Jesus
I've wasted it so
Help me, Jesus
I know what I am
Now that I know
That I've needed you so
Help me, Jesus
My soul's in your hand
Jesus
My soul's in your hand



@phillpauley6672

Good Lord,
what have I done?
I just quit my job of just over 7 1/2 years.
You have already granted me a better job with full benefits but I hoped to work both long enough to pay off my $500 credit card debt and give them plenty of notice so they could prepare before I left.
I know they all saw it coming and I hope tonight wasn’t them trying to push me out to get it over with. They’ve all been helpful to me and I’ve helped them the same.
I’ve been super stressed since April because that job didn’t allow me to get a loan for a house and the managers (the owner’s daughters) are running the place into the ground.
I’ve been asking you for a while now what I should do or to please change my life somehow. I hope I’m following your plan because I’m seriously afraid! I’m not the fearful type. I’m shy and passive but that’s from too much solitude. You already know that though.

Dear Lord, please let me know if I made the right decision tonight.

I mean, I didn’t think of it then but I’ll get my last check from there in two days. I was so stressed on the way home trying to figure out how I was going to eat and put gas in the truck to get to the new job for the next two weeks and still pay all my bills. It wasn’t until I got home and tried to figure out a plan that I saw that I’m gonna be ok.
I keep hoping the stupidity that happened tonight was part of your plan and not just me being a jerk.

You’ve helped me for the past 35 years and you’ve always been the only one to help me grow so I trust and hope that you’ll continue.
I’m lost Lord!
I have no friends or family...
No one cares if I stay or leave.
Dear Lord, you are my only friend!
I truly appreciate everything you’ve taught me!
I only hope I’m doing right by you!
If I’m not PLEASE help me fix that!
Thank you Lord for what you’ve given me in life and the troubles you’ve taken away!
I’m fully grateful!!!
Even if sometimes I don’t show it at all... I’m truly sorry for that!
AMEN



@DantasForasteiro

Why me Lord
What have I ever done
To deserve even one
Of the blessings I've known
Why me Lord
What did I ever do
That was worth love from you
And the kindness you've shown
Lord help me, Jesus
I've wasted it so
Help me, Jesus
I know what I am
Now that I know
That I've needed you so
Help me, Jesus
My soul's in your hand
Try me Lord
If you think there's a way
That I can repay
What I've taken from you
Maybe Lord
I can show someone else
What I've been through myself
On my way back to you
Lord help me, Jesus
I've wasted it so
Help me, Jesus
I know what I am
Now that I know
That I've needed you so
Help me, Jesus
My soul's in your hand
Jesus
My soul's in your hand
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All comments from YouTube:

@hedgeearthridge6807

I love this song, in how it has a correct view of our depravity and God's Holiness and Mercy. God doesn't owe us anything, except death and judgment. And yet, He is so good to us. All glory to God

@barryduff5058

Amen to that!

@mikekoenig6467

Amen!

@tammiann7135

I read his book, watched his movie The gospel road, reading his son's book about his father. He struggled with demons in his life, but always had Jesus beside him. You are missed deeply Johnny and June.

@Laughy-Flaaffy

Wow, this is a beautiful song 😢

@brianmakwala

Zambian 💯

@elma.s4825

The beauty of what a man and a guitar is able to do, with the soul and playability he's the reason I have such a strong emotion to music.

@JackDaniel617

This song was written by a Vietnam Veteran!

@beproud7254

You're with Jesus now brother, love ya,see you soon.

@mikekoenig6467

I love you too brother. It's 6am in Phoenix, 9 days sober. 29 years old..since 16 I've "wasted it". But it's okay again it truly is. HALLELUJAH! ❤

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