Preacherman
Melody Gardot Lyrics


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Ooh
Ooh

Preacher man, go tell me
Where his body lies
Sitting down by the river, now, child
Left him there to die
One by one we tumble
One by one we fall
If I had a solution, now, honey
I would fix us all

'Cause I believe in a world
Where we all belong
And I'm so tired of seein'
Every good man gone

Take me to that river
Lay me by his side
Let the water wash me clean, now, honey
Man, don't stole my pride

I have seen the darkness
Lord knows I've seen the light
Don't recall the Lord
Sayin' there's a difference
If you're black or white

'Cause I believe in a world
Where we all belong
And I'm so tired of seein'
Every good man gone
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh

Overall Meaning

The song "Preacherman" by Melody Gardot is about the pain and suffering caused by prejudice and discrimination. The preacherman is asked about the whereabouts of a man who was left to die by the river. The lyrics suggest a feeling of hopelessness, as one by one people fall and tumble before ultimately meeting their end. The singer expresses a desire for a solution to the world's problems, but acknowledges that such a solution is not readily available. She believes that everyone should belong in the world, regardless of their skin color, and is upset by the loss of every "good man."


The second verse of the song speaks to the theme of equality in a more direct manner, referencing the darkness and light that the singer has seen. She expresses disbelief that God would differentiate between people based on their race, and reaffirms her belief in a world where everyone belongs. The repeated "ooh" sounds throughout the song create a sense of longing and uncertainty, perhaps reflecting the sentiment that the singer is unsure how to solve society's problems.


Overall, "Preacherman" is a poignant commentary on the pain and injustice that result from discrimination. The desire for equality and belonging is palpable in every line of the song, and the singer appears to be grappling with a sense of despair about the world's problems.


Line by Line Meaning

Preacher man, go tell me
Asking for information from a preacher


Where his body lies
Wanting to know where someone's body is located


Sitting down by the river, now, child
Relaxing by the river


Left him there to die
Abandoned someone to die by the river


One by one we tumble
We all fall down one by one


One by one we fall
We all have our own struggles and hardships


If I had a solution, now, honey
Wishing for a solution to problems


I would fix us all
Wanting to solve everyone's problems


'Cause I believe in a world
Believing in a better world for all


Where we all belong
Where everyone is accepted and included


And I'm so tired of seein'
Exhausted from witnessing


Every good man gone
Feeling saddened by the loss of good people


Take me to that river
Asking to go to the river


Lay me by his side
Wanting to be near someone


Let the water wash me clean, now, honey
Desiring to be cleansed by the river


Man, don't stole my pride
Asking not to have pride taken away


I have seen the darkness
Experienced dark times


Lord knows I've seen the light
Also experienced good times


Don't recall the Lord
Can't remember hearing from God


Sayin' there's a difference
God never said there was a difference


If you're black or white
Based on skin color


'Cause I believe in a world
Believing in a better world for all


Where we all belong
Where everyone is accepted and included


And I'm so tired of seein'
Exhausted from witnessing


Every good man gone
Feeling saddened by the loss of good people




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES STAAB, MELODY GARDOT

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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