Jesus Don't Wants Me for a Sunbeam
Nirvana Lyrics


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(originally by The Vaselines)

Jesus, don't want me for a sunbeam
Sunbeams are never made like me [Alt: Sunbeams are laughing at me]

Don't expect me to cry,
For all the reasons you had to die
Don't ever ask your love of me

Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for thee

Jesus, don't want me for a sunbeam
Sunbeams are never made like me [Alt: Sunbeams are laughing at me]

Don't expect me to cry,
For all the reasons you had to die
Don't ever ask your love of me

[x2]
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for thee

Jesus, don't want me for a sunbeam
Sunbeams are never made like me [Alt: Sunbeams are laughing at me]

Don't expect me to cry,
For all the reasons you had to die
Don't ever ask your love of me

Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die
Don't expect me to cry




Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for thee

Overall Meaning

The song "Jesus Don't Want Me for a Sunbeam" by Nirvana is a cover of a song by The Vaselines, an alternative rock band from Scotland. Through the song, the singer expresses their belief that they are not worthy of Jesus’ love and attention because they are different from the norm. The lyrics suggest that the singer is not a conventional person, one who does not live up to the expectations society has for them. They feel unworthy of Jesus’ love, evidenced in the line "Sunbeams are never made like me", indicating that the norm is simply out of their reach. The lines "Don’t expect me to cry, for all the reasons you had to die, don't ever ask your love of me", speak of a personal betrayal in their relationship with Jesus. They are unable to share the love that Jesus has for them with others, as they feel alienated by society, and as a result, Jesus won't want them as his representative, even as a sunbeam.


The singer portrays a feeling of rejection in their relationship with Jesus. Though they are still seeking for something that will make them right with God, they no longer feel that Jesus’ love will be extended to them. The song captures a melancholy tone, and Nirvana's version is infused with grunge and punk rock angst, which conveys a sense of sadness and disillusionment as the singer struggles with reconciling their identity with the expectations of society and religion.


Line by Line Meaning

Jesus, don't want me for a sunbeam
I don't feel accepted by religion or the divine


Sunbeams are never made like me
I feel like an outsider and not like anyone else


Don't expect me to cry, For all the reasons you had to die
I don't sympathize with your struggle, and I don't need your sacrifice


Don't ever ask your love of me
I can't give you what you want, and you shouldn't expect it from me


Don't expect me to lie
I can't pretend to be someone I'm not and act against my nature


Don't expect me to die for thee
I'm not willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for your cause or belief




Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY

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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@natasaradanovic5151

Jesus, don't want me for a sunbeam
Sunbeams are never made like me

Don't expect me to cry
For all the reasons you had to die
Don't ever ask your love of me

Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for me

Jesus, don't want me for a sunbeam
Sunbeams are never made like me

Don't expect me to cry
For all the reasons you had to die
Don't ever ask your love of me

Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for me

Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for me

Jesus, don't want me for a sunbeam
Sunbeams are never made like me
Don't expect me to cry
For all the reasons you had to die
Don't ever ask your love of me

Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for me



All comments from YouTube:

@6stringbass460

Imagine you come back from the bathroom and there is now a cello player, the drummer has a bass, and the bassist has an accordion

@saylerroberts3155

This made me laugh so hard

@factoryman28

I’d expect some fantastic music coming up soon.

@shaunduran5835

Yes Sirs

@mikeyjohnson4262

Haha that's funny

@lunamoone5231

😂

136 More Replies...

@mrkipling2201

Apparently one of Kurt's friends was backstage, and when they finished the gig, they said to Kurt how brilliant the show was and Kurt replied " yeah, we were good tonight ". One of the few times when he actually admitted how good Nirvana were to other people. I'm not surprised. This was a great show..

@daniellopez844

I’m glad to know about this, that somebody told Kurt he and the whole band did great

@AliceInPantera

Man, once I get sucked into one unplugged song, I have to listen to the entire thing. Every song was absolute gold….especially the obscure ones like this

@CorneliusBartholemeow

Agreed 😂 its hard to pick just one song for a playlist when every song is so good

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