Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam
Nirvana Lyrics


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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 thee

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 thee

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
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

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nirvana's "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam" speak to a sense of estrangement and alienation from the traditional religious values of Western culture. The singer of the song tells Jesus that he cannot fulfill what is expected of him. He describes sunbeams as being pure and untainted, unlike himself. He cannot cry, or be expected to die, or even love without reservations, because he simply isn't pure or holy enough to be accepted by Jesus or society.


In many ways, the song serves as a critique of the hypocrisy found in organized religion and its culture, its expectations and values, and the disingenuousness of its followers. The singer is frustrated with the rigid expectations of Christianity, finding himself unworthy and unable to perform the tasks expected of him. He rejects the social norms that he has been taught, saying that he cannot fit into the mold that society wants to impose on him.


Throughout the song, the repeating lines of "Don't expect me to cry, don't expect me to lie, don't expect me to die" reinforce the singer's sense of disillusionment with the religious traditions and societal norms that he has experienced.


Line by Line Meaning

Jesus, don't want me for a sunbeam
I am not the kind of person who is good enough to be in Christ's presence


Sunbeams are never made like me
I am not like any shining light or something of value to anyone


Don't expect me to cry
I am not going to pretend to be emotional about something that doesn't move me


For all the reasons you had to die
I know that you died for a good cause, but I don't feel anything about it


Don't ever ask your love of me
I cannot offer the kind of love that is pure and unselfish


Don't expect me to lie
I will always say what I truly believe, regardless of what others want to hear


Don't expect me to die for me
I am not willing to put my life on the line for any cause or person




Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Frances McKee, Eugene Kelly

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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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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