2) Martyn is czech guitarist/singer/musician that is known for playing guitar in LUNO with Ema Brabcova (Khoiba, Roe-Deer) and that is also doing his solo music.
I Wonder Why
Martyn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Seth, he knew not why.
For, if the children of Israel were supposed to multiply,
Why must any children die?
So he asked the L-rd.
And the L-rd said:
"Man means nothing,
Than the lonliest cactus flower
Or the homeless yucca tree.
He chases round the desert hah!
Chasing after me ('cause he thinks he might find me there).
L-rd, that's why I love mankind
(He's so stupid).
I recoil in horror from the fondness of thee,
From the squalor and the filth; all your misery
Oh, how we laugh up here in Heaven
At the praise you offer me.
That is why i just love mankind hah!"
The Christians and the Jews,
They had a great, big jamboree.
The Buddhists and the Hindus
Joined in on satellite TV.
They picked the four greatest priests
They began to speak.
They said:
"Plague is on the world
L-rd, no man is free.
The temples that we've built to you,
They just tumbled to the sea;
L-rd, if you won't take care of us,
Please let us be!"
And the L-rd said
The L-ord said:
"I burn down your cities:
How blind you must be;
I take away your children:
You say how blessed are thee;
Y'all must be crazy, now, men,
To put your faith in a man like me:
That's why I love you, mankind!
That is why I you,
That's why I love you, mankind!
Hah, ha, ha, hah"
The song “I Wonder Why” by Martyn presents a deep, poetic, and thought-provoking commentary on the nature of man and God. The opening part of the song refers to the biblical story of Cain and Abel, and Seth's question to God about why any children must die, particularly when the children of Israel were meant to multiply. God's answer is somewhat unexpected, describing how man means nothing and means even less to him than the loneliest cactus flower, and he finds mankind stupid despite chasing him in the desert.
The second part of the song moves on to describe how people from different religions, particularly the Christians, Jews, Buddhists, and the Hindus, discussed the problem of plague and how they built temples to God, only for them to tumble to the sea. They pleaded for God to help them, but he says that he will burn down their cities, and take away their children - this is his way of showing that he is not a man who can be trusted or relied on, despite how people put their faith in him. The song, therefore, depicts a God who is regarded as callous and indifferent to human suffering, particularly when people engage in various religious activities to get his favor.
The song is a powerful commentary on the hypocrisy and confusion that people find regarding the relationship between God and man. On one hand, people believe that they can depend on God, create temples and worship him, but on the other hand, God seems distant and uncaring, an uncaring being who can cause huge destruction for no apparent reason. The song presents a profound philosophical challenge as to the purpose of religion and the essence of God’s character. Martyn’s use of poetic and metaphorical language also adds to the beauty and depth of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Cain slew Abel,
One brother killed the other
Seth, he knew not why.
The third brother didn't understand why the second was killed
For, if the children of Israel were supposed to multiply,
God commanded the Israelites to multiply
Why must any children die?
Why would God allow children to die?
So he asked the L-rd.
Seth asked God for an answer
And the L-rd said:
God responded to Seth's question
"Man means nothing,
God believes humans are insignificant
He means even less to me
Humans are less important than plants to God
Than the lonliest cactus flower
Even the loneliest cactus flower is more significant to God than a human
Or the homeless yucca tree.
Even a homeless yucca tree is more significant to God than a human
He chases round the desert hah!
Humans are foolishly chasing God in the desert
Chasing after me ('cause he thinks he might find me there).
Humans think they can find God by searching in the desert
L-rd, that's why I love mankind
God finds humans amusing
(He's so stupid).
God thinks humans are dumb
I recoil in horror from the fondness of thee,
God is horrified that humans love and worship him
From the squalor and the filth; all your misery
God is repulsed by the suffering and misery of humans
Oh, how we laugh up here in Heaven
God and the angels find humor in humans
At the praise you offer me.
God is not impressed by the praises of humans
That is why i just love mankind hah!"
God loves humans because they are foolish and amusing
The Christians and the Jews,
Christians and Jews
They had a great, big jamboree.
They had a big party
The Buddhists and the Hindus
Buddhists and Hindus
Joined in on satellite TV.
They watched the party on TV
They picked the four greatest priests
They selected four important religious leaders
They began to speak.
The leaders began to talk
They said:
The leaders spoke with one voice
"Plague is on the world
The world is suffering from a devastating disease
L-rd, no man is free.
God, people are not free from the affliction
The temples that we've built to you,
Religious buildings built in God's honor
They just tumbled to the sea;
The temples were destroyed
L-rd, if you won't take care of us,
God, if you won't help us
Please let us be! "
Let us live our lives without interference from God
And the L-rd said
God responded once more
The L-ord said:
God's words are repeated
"I burn down your cities:
God destroys cities with fire
How blind you must be;
People are foolish and cannot see the truth
I take away your children:
God takes children away
You say how blessed are thee;
Humans still worship and bless God despite their suffering
Y'all must be crazy, now, men,
People are crazy for putting their faith in God
To put your faith in a man like me:
People are foolish for believing in God
That's why I love you, mankind!
God loves humans because they continue to worship him despite their suffering
That is why I you,
God loves humans for being foolish and amusing
That's why I love you, mankind!
God loves humans for the same reason as before
Hah, ha, ha, hah"
God laughs at humans
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RANDY NEWMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Luke Goode
I can remember fabio and grooverider playing this on radio 1, I went out and bought this record soon as it got released. Man i miss them days going to a record shop and buying records 😭
Lastname Firstname
This is Jonny L level production! Timeless music this one. Only Marcus could find such talent and vouch for em
norrisg86
Always thought this was a Jonny L tribute. A good one too — absolute banger. Could slot straight into the Virus Essential Mix in 1999.
PCP1992
lol this is so cool
beraboman
THANKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!
Pestario
yay! youtube never lets me down. Still gone the vinyl somewhere...
chipchip
I wonder if this voice was done with a speak & spell?
givemeapackof3
yes!
chipchip
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