Judah & the Lion is an americana-folk band with their roots planted in Nash… Read Full Bio ↴Judah & the Lion is an americana-folk band with their roots planted in Nashville, TN. Their music comes from many influences that cumulates in a blend of folk instruments, played with fresh musicianship and powerful vocal harmonies. They got their start in December of 2011 and exist to create honest and relatable music. The lead singer, Judah Akers, Banjo player, Nate Zuercher, and Mandolinist, Brian Macdonald, lead the group and are honored to play with a band of talented musicians. They love music, love life, and love people.

Better Man
Judah & the Lion Lyrics

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Oh that I would go through storms
Know my soul is better for it
Oh my heart to face the pain
My mind, it'd move past yesterday

No, I just want to be a better man
No, I just want to be a better man
As I go

All my life that I would grow
Like a flower that comes up from a seed that's sown
The spirit now to rise within
Reign over my carnal skin

No, I just want to be a better man
No, I just want to be a better man
As I go

And oh I just want to be a better man
And oh I just want to be a better man, yeah
And oh I just want to be a better man
And oh I just want to be a better man
As I go

Oh my hands to serve and love
My eyes to see and not to judge

My spirit now to rise within
And reign over my carnal skin

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Judah & the Lion's song Better Man is a self-reflective piece which expresses the desire to go through life's storms and pain in order to emerge as a better person. The opening lines, "Oh that I would go through storms, know my soul is better for it," indicate the willingness to face tough times and learn from them. The following lines, "Oh my heart to face the pain, my mind, it'd move past yesterday," suggest a desire to overcome past hardships and move forward with a positive outlook.

The chorus "No, I just want to be a better man, as I go" is a powerful declaration of the artist's desire to improve themselves continually. The lyrics, "All my life that I would grow like a flower that comes up from a seed that's sown," adds to this declaration of the artist's willingness to improve and grow throughout their life. The final verse of "Oh my hands to serve and love, my eyes to see and not to judge, my spirit now to rise within, and reign over my carnal skin" expresses the desire for the artist to be a better person, to be more loving, and less judgmental towards others.

In conclusion, Better Man is an empowering song that encourages listeners to reflect on their lives and strive to be a better person continually. The song speaks to the idea that we are all works in progress, but with the right mindset and attitudes, we can all become better versions of ourselves.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh that I would go through storms
I hope to face difficulties and struggles in life, knowing that these experiences will make me a better person.

Know my soul is better for it
I trust that facing these storms will make me more resilient and enlightened, ultimately leading to spiritual growth.

Oh my heart to face the pain
I am willing to confront emotional pain and discomfort, as these challenges serve as opportunities for personal growth.

My mind, it'd move past yesterday
I strive to let go of my past mistakes and move forward with a positive mindset, focused on personal growth and improvement.

No, I just want to be a better man
At my core, I am driven by a desire for self-improvement and personal growth, and I strive to be the best version of myself as I move forward in life.

As I go
I understand that the journey towards becoming a better person is ongoing and ever-evolving, and I am committed to this process for as long as I live.

All my life that I would grow
From the beginning of my life to the end, I hope to continuously grow and improve, learning from my experiences and becoming a better person.

Like a flower that comes up from a seed that's sown
Just as a seed must be planted and nurtured to grow into a beautiful flower, I understand that my growth as a person requires intentional effort and care, and that the process may take time.

The spirit now to rise within
I strive to cultivate a sense of spiritual awareness and enlightenment, recognizing the interconnectedness of all things and finding a sense of peace and fulfillment in that knowledge.

Reign over my carnal skin
While recognizing my physical body as a crucial aspect of my being, I strive to transcend physical desires and impulses and prioritize my spiritual well-being and growth.

And oh I just want to be a better man
Once again expressing my deep-seated desire for self-improvement and personal growth, I am committed to this journey as I move forward in life.

And oh I just want to be a better man, yeah
Repeating my commitment to personal growth and improvement, I recognize that this journey may be difficult at times, but I am dedicated to it nonetheless.

Oh my hands to serve and love
Recognizing the importance of serving and loving others, I strive to use my hands to help others and make a positive impact on the world.

My eyes to see and not to judge
Cultivating a sense of empathy and compassion, I strive to view others with an open mind and heart, without judgement or bias.

My spirit now to rise within
Once again emphasizing my commitment to spiritual growth and enlightenment, recognizing that this is a crucial aspect of becoming a better person.

And reign over my carnal skin
Once again expressing my desire to transcend physical desires and impulses, recognizing that these aspects of my being are important but not the only important aspects of my existence.

Contributed by Isabelle B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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