To God I Commend My Soul
Karliene Lyrics


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Was I not good?
Was I not true?
Did I not give you all I could?

I bore you sons
born in blood,
you can't blame me what pleases God!
You call me "witch"
you speak of sin,
but it is you who is foul within

And all that love
has turned to rust
apon the blade that cuts through us

And when my petals fade their red,
will you pluck my weeping head?
Or will you love me till the end?
your only Winter rose?





Oh Lord have mercy on me,
to God I commend my soul

Overall Meaning

These lyrics from Karliene's song "To God I Commend My Soul" tell a powerful story of a woman who feels misunderstood and mistreated by those around her, even as she tries to live a good and true life. The opening lines of the song - "Was I not good? Was I not true? Did I not give you all I could?" - express her frustration with the way she has been treated, as if her efforts and sacrifices have gone unappreciated.


She goes on to reference her children, who she has borne "in blood," and suggests that her accusers cannot blame her for doing what pleases God. It becomes clear that the woman is being accused of witchcraft, or at least being seen as an outsider in her community, and this accusation is likely what has caused her so much pain and isolation. She rejects this label, however, and suggests that it is actually her accusers who are "foul within."


Despite the love that once existed between her and those around her, it has now "turned to rust" and is cutting through them all like a blade. The final lines of the verse suggest that the woman is facing the possibility of death, and she asks for mercy from the Lord as she commends her soul to God. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of alienation, pain, and the struggle to hold on to one's beliefs and values in the face of persecution.


Line by Line Meaning

Was I not good?
Did I not behave in a way that was pleasing to you?


Was I not true?
Did I not always speak the truth?


Did I not give you all I could?
Did I not provide you with everything I had?


I bore you sons
I gave birth to your children


born in blood,
the process of childbirth is messy and involves blood


you can't blame me what pleases God!
If God chooses to take our children or caused something bad to happen, it's not my fault


You call me "witch"
You accuse me of being a witch


you speak of sin,
you talk about sinning and wrongdoing


but it is you who is foul within
but it is you who is dirty and sinful inside


And all that love
All the love we once had


has turned to rust
has decayed and become useless


apon the blade that cuts through us
due to the sharpness of the pain we are experiencing


And when my petals fade their red,
When I lose my youth and beauty


will you pluck my weeping head?
will you abandon me when I am old and gray?


Or will you love me till the end?
Or will you love me unconditionally?


your only Winter rose?
Your only love for all seasons


Oh Lord have mercy on me,
Please have mercy on me, Oh Lord


to God I commend my soul
I entrust my soul to God




Contributed by Parker P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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