Sunday
Joy Oladokun Lyrics


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Ah ah ah (Mmm, mmm)
Ah ah ah (Mmm, mmm)
Ah ah ah

Mama says I'm up to no good again
Couldn't make her proud though I did my best
I feel like I'm a mess
I feel like I'm stuck in the wrong skin
I feel like I'm sick
But I'm having trouble swallowing my medicine
Ah ah ah

Sunday, carry me, carry me down to the water
Wash me clean
I'm still struggling
Ah ah ah

Sunday, bury me under the weight of who you need me to be
Can't you see
I'm struggling
Ah ah ah

Mmm, mmm
Ah ah ah

I keep God locked in a picture frame
So I feel a little better 'bout my numbered days
Yeah I confess

The questions and the answers seem to sound the same
I'm just like the rest
Standing tall pretending not to be afraid
Ah ah ah

Sunday carry me, carry me down to the water
Wash me clean
I'm still struggling

Sunday bury me under the weight of who you need me to be
Can't you see
I'm struggling
Ah ah ah

Sunday come around, lift me up again
Never too proud for a helping hand
I've been feeling down
Can you hear me now? (Ah ah ah)

Sunday come around, lift me up again
I'm never too proud for a helping hand
I've been feeling down
Can you hear me now?

Sunday carry me, carry me down to the water
Wash me clean
I'm still struggling
Ah ah ah

Sunday bury me under the weight of who you need me to be
Can't you see
I'm struggling
Ah ah ah

Aah, ah-ah-ah
Aah, ah-ah-ah (Ah ah ah)




Aah, ah-ah-ah
Aah, ah-ah-ah (Ah ah ah)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Joy Oladokun's "Sunday" convey a sense of feeling overwhelmed and lacking in direction. The first few lines suggest that the singer is struggling to meet the expectations of her mother and is feeling inadequate despite trying her best. She feels trapped in her own skin and is struggling to accept herself. The lines "I feel like I'm sick/But I'm having trouble swallowing my medicine" may suggest that she recognizes that she needs help, but is finding it hard to accept it. These feelings of inferiority and uncertainty are further emphasized by the repetitively haunting "ah" sounds.


The chorus of the song draws on religious imagery, with the singer wishing to be cleansed and renewed. She yearns for the peaceful and healing experience of being by the water on a Sunday. However, instead of being uplifted by this experience, she feels crushed under the weight of societal expectations. She feels like she is being judged and is expected to be someone else, someone who meets others' expectations. The singer may be facing an internal conflict between what she truly wants and who she is expected to be, resulting in her feeling lost and burdened.


Line by Line Meaning

Mama says I'm up to no good again
Mama thinks I'm misbehaving once more


Couldn't make her proud though I did my best
I worked hard to impress her, but she wasn't pleased


I feel like I'm a mess
I'm emotionally disordered


I feel like I'm stuck in the wrong skin
I don't feel comfortable in my own body


I feel like I'm sick
I feel unwell


But I'm having trouble swallowing my medicine
I find it challenging to accept advice given to me


Sunday, carry me, carry me down to the water
On Sunday, I want to be taken to the water and be rejuvenated


Wash me clean
I want to be purified


I'm still struggling
I'm still having problems even after trying to overcome them


Sunday, bury me under the weight of who you need me to be
I want to be transformed to meet your expectations


Can't you see
Don't you notice my struggle?


I keep God locked in a picture frame
I only see God through a limited perspective


So I feel a little better 'bout my numbered days
I'm at peace with the fact that I'll die someday


The questions and the answers seem to sound the same
I can't distinguish between what is right and what isn't


I'm just like the rest
I'm similar to everyone else


Standing tall pretending not to be afraid
I'm trying to be brave even though I'm scared


Sunday come around, lift me up again
I need to be encouraged again on Sunday


Never too proud for a helping hand
I'm open to receiving assistance from others


I've been feeling down
I'm unhappy and depressed


Can you hear me now?
Do you understand my struggle?




Writer(s): olubukola ayodele oladokun

Contributed by Ellie G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@JoyOladokun

momma says i’m up to no good again
couldn’t make her proud though I did my best
I feel like a mess
I feel like i’m stuck in the wrong skin
I feel like i’m sick
but I’m having trouble swallowing my own medicine

Sunday
carry me
carry me down to the water
wash me clean
I’m still struggling
Sunday
bury me
under the weight of who you need me to be
can’t you see
I’m struggling

I keep God locked in a picture frame
so I feel a little better about my numbered days
yeah I confess
the questions and the answers seem to the sound the same
I’m just like the rest
standing tall pretending not to be afraid

Sunday come around
Lift me up again
Never too proud
For a helping hand
I've been feeling down
Can you heal me now



All comments from YouTube:

@JoyOladokun

momma says i’m up to no good again
couldn’t make her proud though I did my best
I feel like a mess
I feel like i’m stuck in the wrong skin
I feel like i’m sick
but I’m having trouble swallowing my own medicine

Sunday
carry me
carry me down to the water
wash me clean
I’m still struggling
Sunday
bury me
under the weight of who you need me to be
can’t you see
I’m struggling

I keep God locked in a picture frame
so I feel a little better about my numbered days
yeah I confess
the questions and the answers seem to the sound the same
I’m just like the rest
standing tall pretending not to be afraid

Sunday come around
Lift me up again
Never too proud
For a helping hand
I've been feeling down
Can you heal me now

@c.danielfoster8028

I had a spiritual "mother" who was more of a mom than my biological mom ever was. This song and the lyrics "momma says I'm up to no good again. Couldn't make her proud, though I did my best." This line always cuts my heart because it's so relatable. Unfortunately, I realized how conditional this "mother's" love was when I came out, but not surprising since she led me through years of conversion therapy.

I can imagine that this line was born out of pain too. Wishing you healing on your journey Joy! Was great seeing your posts about Times Square! Keep going! We need more Black Queer Energy in the world and culture!

@squirrelcovers6340

Beautiful

@sherryfaye6262

You break my 58 year old heart. I didn’t want anyone to suffer for the same reasons our child hearts did decades ago. Maybe I should rejoice in your beautiful spirit and talent, and just be grateful that now your voice can be heard anywhere and everywhere. God has blessed you to touch so many. Please know people hear you and will help you if tell us.

@soulnurse3833

This song is AMAZING! LOVE IT, YOU ROCK JOY!

@soulnurse3833

can't stop listening to this, +I'm hooked :)

12 More Replies...

@sharonpeppers3341

I feel very confident of #Jehovah's love for me. He made me. His #love for me is tremendous. I am his #creation. He will never leave or forsake me. Of this, I am extremely confident.

@Nate-cg9mm

Amen! You are a form of God. As long as you're ok with that there's nothing to fear.

@blackgold6495

momma says i’m up to no good again
couldn’t make her proud though I did my best

I Hope your mom is proud of you now because you are impacting lives. Love all the way from Nigeria. Almost in 2024 and Im still Jamming Joy Oladokun. I feel you are a part of me and i thank you for speaking on my behalf where my words cant. Keep Going !💌

@ohgeeeznotagain

The line "Bury me under the weight of who you need me to be" absolutely knocked the wind out of me. AWESOME song!!!

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