The way I fly
Patty Griffin Lyrics


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If I had my way
If I had my way
If I had my way
I would tear this building down
Tear this building down

You read about Sampson and from his birth
The strongest man that ever lived on Earth
One day old Sampson was walking alone
He looked down on the ground and he saw an old jaw-bone
He swung it over his head, swung it over his head
When he start moving ten thousand was dead

If I had my way
If I had my way
If I had my way
I would tear this building down
Tear this building down

Sampson and the lion got in attack
Sampson joined up on the lion's back
You read about this lion, he killed a man with his paw
Sampson he got his hands around the lion's jaw
He ripped that beast till the lion was dead
The bees made honey in the lion's head

If I had my way
If I had my way
If I had my way
I would tear this building down
Tear this building down

Delilah was a woman so fine and fair
She had a lovely good looks and a coal black hair
Delilah came down on Samson's mind
First he saw a woman of the Philistines
She set down on Samson's knees
Tell me where your strength lies if you please
She spoke so kind, talked so fair
Samson told "Delilah cut off my hair,
Shave my head, clean as your hand
And my strength will be like a natural man."

Took old Samson by surprise
They picked up a stick and then they punched out his eyes
Backing down to the judgment hall
Chained him to the stone cold wall
They left him there â??til his hair turn brown
Strength to tear that building down

If I had my way
If I had my way
If I had my way
I would tear this building down
Tear this building down
Tear this building down




Tear this building down
Tear this building down

Overall Meaning

Patty Griffin's song "The way I fly" is a reinterpretation of the classic American gospel song "If I Had My Way". Griffin's instrumental accompaniment features a delicate guitar string plucking, which contrasts with the song's lyrics, describing the power of a violent rebellion against a building or institution. The song invokes the spirit of Samson - one of the strongest and most celebrated personas in the history of humanity - and draws analogies to the power of individual expression and social movements.


The song's lyrics begin with the sentiment of the singer. If they had their way, they would tear down a building. The subsequent lines refer to the story of Samson as described in the Old Testament. Samson was one of the strongest biblical figures, endowed with extraordinary physical strength that allowed him to fight and kill massive armies single-handedly. His story is used to express the idea of personal strength and determination in the face of adversity. The song acknowledges Sampson's power and heroism, describing the way he killed a multitude of his enemies single-handedly.


The song then describes Samson's encounter with Delilah, a woman hired by the Philistines to discover the source of Samson's strength. Delilah eventually convinces Samson to reveal his secret, and has his hair cut, leading to his capture and his subsequent blinding. The singer refers to this episode as an example of society trying to stamp out the strengths of the individual, but ultimately failing.


Overall, the lyrics of "The Way I Fly" celebrate the power of individuality and the desire for self-expression, even in the face of threat and attempts at suppression. The song is a powerful reimagining of a gospel classic, and its use of Samson's story ensures it will remain relevant for years to come.


Interesting facts about the song:


Line by Line Meaning

If I had my way
Expressing a desire to act on one's own volition.


I would tear this building down
Wishing to destroy something or someone that is unjust and oppressive.


You read about Sampson and from his birth
Referencing the biblical story of Sampson and drawing inspiration from his power and strength.


The strongest man that ever lived on Earth
Describing Sampson as the epitome of physical strength and power.


One day old Sampson was walking alone
Narrating the beginning of Sampson's journey and how he discovered his strength.


He looked down on the ground and he saw an old jaw-bone
Describing how Sampson found a tool to demonstrate his extraordinary strength.


He swung it over his head, swung it over his head
Depicting Sampson's immense physical power and his ability to wield a weapon with ease.


When he start moving ten thousand was dead
Hyperbolically exaggerating Sampson's strength and his ability to take down a large number of enemies at once.


Sampson and the lion got in attack
Retelling a story about Sampson fighting a lion.


Sampson joined up on the lion's back
Describing how Sampson overpowered the lion by jumping on its back.


You read about this lion, he killed a man with his paw
Referencing another story about a lion's strength and power.


Sampson he got his hands around the lion's jaw
Depicting Sampson's dominance over the lion by grabbing its jaw.


He ripped that beast till the lion was dead
Illustrating Sampson's ability to kill the lion with his bare hands.


The bees made honey in the lion's head
Contrasting the previously aggressive and fierce lion with the peaceful and productive honeybees.


Delilah was a woman so fine and fair
Introducing the character of Delilah in the story.


She had a lovely good looks and a coal black hair
Describing Delilah's appearance and her attractive qualities.


Delilah came down on Samson's mind
Portraying Delilah's influence over Sampson and his vulnerability to her.


First he saw a woman of the Philistines
Describing Delilah's background and her connection to Samson's enemies.


She set down on Samson's knees
Suggesting Delilah's intimacy with Sampson and the seductive nature of their relationship.


Tell me where your strength lies if you please
Prompting Sampson to reveal the secret of his strength to Delilah.


She spoke so kind, talked so fair
Describing how Delilah used her charm and persuasion to extract information from Samson.


Samson told 'Delilah cut off my hair,
Revealing the source of Sampson's strength and his vulnerability to Delilah's deceit.


Shave my head, clean as your hand
Detailing how Samson gave in to Delilah's request to shave his head.


And my strength will be like a natural man.'
Expressing Sampson's misguided trust in Delilah and his belief that his strength was self-reliant.


Took old Samson by surprise
Illustrating how Delilah's treachery caught Samson off guard.


They picked up a stick and then they punched out his eyes
Detailing the violent and cruel punishment inflicted on Samson after his capture.


Backing down to the judgment hall
Describing how Samson was taken to court to face his sentence.


Chained him to the stone cold wall
Depicting Samson's imprisonment and confinement.


They left him there 'til his hair turn brown
Revealing the duration of Samson's imprisonment and his loss of strength.


Strength to tear that building down
Reaffirming the singer's desire to destroy something that is oppressive and unjust.


Tear this building down
Repeating the desire to take down an oppressor, reinforcing the main theme of the song.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ANESHA BIRCHETT, ANTEA BIRCHETT, RODNEY JERKINS, FRED III JERKINS, LASHAWN AMEEN DANIELS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@VIBECHECK481

"Let Him Fly"

Ain't no talkin to this man
Ain't no pretty other side
Ain't no way to understand the stupid words of pride
It would take an acrobat, and I already tried all that so
I'm gonna let him fly
Things can move at such a pace
The second hand just waved goodbye
You know the light has left his face
But you can't recall just where or why
So there was really nothing to it
I just went and cut right through it
I said I'm gonna let him fly

There's no mercy in a live wire
No rest at all in freedom
Of the choices we are given it's no choice at all
The proof is in the fire
You touch before it moves away
But you must always know how long to stay and when to go

And there ain't no talkin to this man
He's been tryin to tell me so
It took awhile to understand the beauty of just letting go
Cause it would take an acrobat, I already tried all that
I'm gonna let him fly
I'm gonna let him fly
I'm gonna let him fly



All comments from YouTube:

@MegaDerek1975

One the best albums ever created by any artists on any planet within any microcosm of any universe.

@kandyrain6777

Omgeeeeeeee!! Just heard this song/version, tonight (1-11-22) on 9-1-1 Lone Star, and cried my lashes off! 😩
This song hits different when you don’t want to let go, but you know you have to do what’s best for YOU!! 💔
Praying for all of us that were touched by this song and/or lyrics. 🙏🏾

@gracessioson1702

That's where I heard it, too

@christinamitchell6796

I really wasn't going to say anything here because many people have made comments I agree with, but I'm very much in love with this song. I can as of recent relate to this, I just let someone go yesterday. every line signifies my pain, heartache but also the "beauty of letting go". I tried "acrobats" with this man, but all this time "there was no talking to this man" "he was trying to tell me so", so now it took a while but I'm gonna let him fly. sorry for so many quotes but it directly pointed to what I felt and knew in my heart, this song sealed my true reality.

@reemhosam6061

I feel the pain. I hope you're in a better place now.

@christinamitchell6796

very kind of you to say, believe it or not its still a work in progress not sure the direction we are not romantically involved but i still love him very much.I am trusting in the Lord for his will no matter what.

@eccentricflower29

Christina Mitchell ❤ I know it all too well

@Betcsbirds

Same boat here.. needed to happen but hurts. thanks for sharing...I hope you are doing well now!! hugs

@pameladarlenewoodward8385

Stellar post. Putting you'r truth on a forum?. Helps orthers too. Thanks for your honesty.

9 More Replies...

@feverloca

Just like many the documentary " The Fear of 13" brought me here. Im just speechless. The way this man told his story, makes you feel like you jumped into a time machine and went back with him to see/hear it all. Not many writers/storytellers can do that. He could have achieved so much, but not is not always on your side unfortunately.

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