If I Had My Way
Peter Lyrics


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You read about Sampson, you read about his birth
He was 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 lifted up that jaw-bone and he swung it over his head,
And when he got to moving ten thousand was dead.

If I had my way,
If I had my way in this wicked world,
If I had my way I would tear this building down.

Sampson and the lion got in attack
Sampson he crawled 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
And he ripped that beast till the lion was dead
And the bees made honey in the lion's head.

If I had my way,
If I had my way in this wicked world,
If I had my way I would tear this building down.

Delilah was a woman, she was fine and fair
She had lovely looks, God knows, and cold black hair
Delilah she climbed up on Sampson's knee
And said "tell me where your strength lies, if you please"
She talked so fine, she talked so fair,
Sampson said Delilah, cut off my hair,
Shave my head just as clean as your hand
And my strength will be like a natural man.

If I had my way,
If I had my way in this wicked world,
If I had my way I would tear this building down.

If I had my way,




If I had my way in this wicked world,
If I had my way I would tear this building down.

Overall Meaning

The song "If I Had My Way" by Peter Paul & Mary is a retelling of the biblical story of Samson and Delilah from the book of Judges. The first verse describes Samson's incredible strength, with his ability to slay thousands of men just by wielding a jawbone. The chorus, "If I had my way, / If I had my way in this wicked world, / If I had my way I would tear this building down," is a call for justice and a desire to tear down the corrupt powers that be. The second verse describes Samson's battle with a lion, which he kills with his bare hands, and the bees that eventually make a hive inside the dead animal's skull. The final verse tells of Delilah's seduction of Samson and her discovery that his strength lies in his long hair. She cuts off his hair while he's sleeping, and the chorus repeats as Samson is taken captive by his enemies, blinded and weakened.


The song is more than just a simple retelling of a biblical story - it is a social commentary on the state of the world and a call for justice. The chorus is a powerful statement of resistance against those in power who abuse their authority and oppress the people. The reference to tearing down a building can be interpreted as a call for revolution or rebellion, and the story of Samson and Delilah serves as a metaphor for the struggle against corruption and oppression.


Line by Line Meaning

You read about Sampson, you read about his birth
Reading about the story of Sampson and his birth


He was the strongest man that ever lived on Earth.
Sampson was considered to be the strongest man who ever lived on earth.


One day old Sampson was walking alone
Sampson was walking alone on one fine day.


He looked down on the ground and he saw an old jaw-bone.
Sampson saw an old jaw-bone when he looked down on the ground.


He lifted up that jaw-bone and he swung it over his head,
Sampson lifted the jaw-bone and swung it over his head.


And when he got to moving ten thousand was dead.
He killed ten thousand people with the jaw-bone.


If I had my way,
In my ideal world,


If I had my way in this wicked world,
If I had complete control in this evil world,


If I had my way I would tear this building down.
I would destroy this building if I could.


Sampson and the lion got in attack
Sampson and the lion got into a fight.


Sampson he crawled up on the lion's back
Sampson climbed on the back of the lion.


You read about this lion - he killed a man with his paw
The lion had killed someone with his paw.


Sampson he got his hands around the lion's jaw
Sampson grabbed the lion by the jaw.


And he ripped that beast till the lion was dead
He killed the lion by ripping it apart.


And the bees made honey in the lion's head.
Bees created a honeycomb inside the lion's skull.


Delilah was a woman, she was fine and fair
Delilah was a woman who was beautiful and fair.


She had lovely looks, God knows, and cold black hair
Delilah had beautiful looks with shiny black hair.


Delilah she climbed up on Sampson's knee
Delilah climbed on Sampson's knee.


And said "tell me where your strength lies, if you please"
She asked Sampson where his strength came from.


She talked so fine, she talked so fair,
She spoke elegantly and with grace.


Sampson said Delilah, cut off my hair,
Sampson asked Delilah to cut his hair.


Shave my head just as clean as your hand
Sampson asked Delilah to shave his head until it was smooth.


And my strength will be like a natural man.
He knew that his physical strength would be gone.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: REV. GARY DAVIS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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