A graduate of St. Andrew's School, Wainwright is best known for a 1972 novelty song hit Dead Skunk (in the Middle of the Road), with pianist Teddy Wender and for playing Captain Spalding (the "singing surgeon") on three episodes of the American television show M*A*S*H in its third season (1974-1975), but his musical reputation is much deeper. Using a witty, self-mocking style, Wainwright has recorded over twenty albums on eleven different labels. Two of his albums have been nominated for Grammy awards.
He is also a regular actor in Judd Apatow movies. His biggest role was playing the father on Judd's show, Undeclared.
In 2012 his latest offering Older Than My Old Man Now was released.
Official website : http://www.lwiii.com/
I Am the Way
Loudon Wainwright III Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was standing down in Jerusalem Town one day
I was standing down in Jerusalem Town one day
Singing... I am the way
I can walk on the water and I can raise the dead
I can walk on the water and I can raise the dead
I can walk on the water and I can raise the dead
Don't tell nobody but I kissed Magdalene
Don't tell nobody but I kissed Magdalene
Don't tell nobody but I kissed Magdalene
Right on the mouth
I said Mary it's okay I'm the way
Every son of God gets a little hard luck sometimes
Every son of God gets a little hard luck sometimes
Every son of God gets a little hard luck sometimes
Specially when he goes around saying he's the way
I am the way
I am the way
I'm the way
The song "I Am the Way" by Loudon Wainwright III is a satirical approach to the biblical figure of Jesus Christ. The lyrics are a playful take on the evangelical persona, as the song describes the character performing miracles that include walking on water, raising the dead, and kissing Mary Magdalene. The use of repetition in the chorus, "I am the way," reinforces the self-glorification of the character, who emphasizes his superiority throughout the song.
The lyrics also seem to comment on the human tendency to use religion as a way of asserting power and control over others. The line "Every son of God gets a little hard luck sometimes, especially when he goes around saying he's the way" highlights the fallibility of religious leaders and the consequences that come with their hubris. Through humor and irony, Wainwright challenges the notion of blind faith, suggesting that we should question authority and seek knowledge before accepting someone's claim to be "the way."
Line by Line Meaning
I was standing down in Jerusalem Town one day
Once, I found myself in Jerusalem’s town.
Singing... I am the way
I sang declaring that I am the way.
I can walk on the water and I can raise the dead
I have the extraordinary power to walk on water and bring the dead back to life.
It's easy, I'm the way
It's effortless for me as I am the way.
Don't tell nobody but I kissed Magdalene
Although I don't want it spread around, I kissed Magdalene.
Right on the mouth
Yes, I kissed her right on her mouth.
I said Mary it's okay I'm the way
I reassured Mary by saying that it's alright because I am the way.
Every son of God gets a little hard luck sometimes
Every son of God experiences a bit of misfortune now and then.
Specially when he goes around saying he's the way
This is especially true when he keeps insisting that he is the way.
I am the way
Once again, I proclaim that I am the way.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, T.R.O. INC.
Written by: LOUDON WAINWRIGHT, MUSIC WOODY GUTHRIE, NEW LYRICS, NEW TITLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
fred fat
should be sung in every church
Alex Seiler
I love the reaction of the audience and the song of course...
Martin Nauta
By far the best timeless song I've ever heard.
Mike Sear
"It's easy" priceless.
jmercaldo
One of my favorites, thanks for posting!
Geoffthebull
The song of any prophet you have ever heard...…….
Homespun Concerts/Patricia Frances Dupras PhotoART
Great Artist -!
TheCrazycliff
loudon at his best
SuperAgeofaquarius
At last some classic Loudon on facebook
Jim Mc Cann
It's no worse than the new testament and far better than the old one!