The four-time Grammy winner has acted in a number of films and been a guest-star on television. Lovett was married to actress Julia Roberts for a short time in the mid-1990s. In 2002, he was gored by a bull while working on his uncle's farm in Texas, but soon recovered and resumed touring.
God Will
Lyle Lovett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you've been cheating
And spending your nights on the town
And who keeps on saying that he still wants you
When you're through running around
And who keeps on loving you
When you've been lying
God does
But I don't
God will
But I won't
And that's the difference
Between God and me
So who says he'll forgive you
And says that he'll miss you
And dream of your sweet memory
God does
But I don't
God will
But I won't
And that's the difference
Between God and me
Lyle Lovett's song "God Will" is a soulful reflection on the duality of human nature. The lyrics explore the contrast between God's unconditional love and forgiveness versus the all too human experience of betrayal, heartbreak, and ultimately letting go. The first two verses, which begin with the question "who keeps on trusting you," seem to express the frustration and disillusionment of a person who has been repeatedly hurt and lied to. This person has reached their limit and cannot forgive or forget the past. However, in the chorus, Lovett contrasts this human response with the divine, where God's love and mercy are infinite and eternal.
The final verse, in which the singer attempts to differentiate between themselves and God, suggests that while humans may not be capable of the same level of forgiveness, we can still learn from God's example. The lyrics encapsulate the human struggle to reconcile our own imperfections with the divine, and the hope that we can ultimately strive to be better.
Line by Line Meaning
Who keeps on trusting you
When you've been cheating
And spending your nights on the town
Who continues to have faith in you despite you being unfaithful and staying out all night
And who keeps on saying that he still wants you
When you're through running around
Who still claims to desire you despite your infidelity
And who keeps on loving you
When you've been lying
Saying things ain't what they seem
Who doesn't stop loving you despite your deceit and denial
God does
But I don't
God will
But I won't
And that's the difference
Between God and me
God has an unconditional capacity to forgive, but I am not capable of such infinite mercy.
So who says he'll forgive you
And says that he'll miss you
And dream of your sweet memory
Who promises to pardon you, to long for your presence, and to remember your qualities fondly
God does
But I don't
God will
But I won't
And that's the difference
Between God and me
God is willing to grant redemption and absolution, but I am not
Lyrics © Regard Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: LYLE PEARCE LOVETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bar7RRanch
You just have to appreciate Lyle Lovett's talent and truth.
Aeolus Ryder
Just started to listen to Lyle again. Forgot how good he is.
prairie mark
Lyle is an amazing writer and singer
MRnewkTrane
And 30 years (!) later- its still one of the best songs I've every heard. I first got this debut album on cassette years ago & Mr. Lovett has proven himself to a most unique performer( that third or fourth album with his big band showed he would not allow his music to be placed in one box) and one of the greatest songwriters of the last 30 + years. The humor in some of his lyrics always made me smile. Two of my favorite songs of his were done by the late great vocalist supreme Mr. Lou Rawls on his 1989 lp "At Last"- LV's " She's No Lady" & "Good Intentions".
jim duffy
I remember my first wife stopped by after cheating on me, i remember turning this song way up untill she left.
Dave Wollenberg
Lyle hit #18 in Billboard, 5-2-87. Thanx, friend, for postin' it.
racketman2u
This whole album is a solid gold classic, regardless of genre. I'd never even heard of Lyle Lovett until a girlfriend played it for me, the guy was criminally under-marketed outside the USA.
Carson Lee
I got introduced to his music playing singles, (45s) on a country radio station in the 80s. These records would come to us in the mail. Put this on and listened, said Oh Yes...
Jeff Tappan
Found this cassette in Germany in about 1985. Great one.
Dennis Opihory
i'msurprised this great song hasn't been covered more