Why Me Lord?
Ray Charles Lyrics


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Why me Lord
What have I ever done
To deserve even one
Of the blessings I've known
Why me Lord
What did I ever do
That was worth love from you
And the kindness you've shown

Lord help me, Jesus
I've wasted it so
Help me, Jesus
I know what I am
Now that I know
That I've needed you so
Help me, Jesus
My soul's in your hand

Try me Lord
If you think there's a way
That I can repay
What I've taken from you
Maybe Lord
I can show someone else
What I've been through myself
On my way back to you

Lord help me, Jesus
I've wasted it so
Help me, Jesus
I know what I am
Now that I know
That I've needed you so
Help me, Jesus
My soul's in your hand




Jesus
My soul's in your hand

Overall Meaning

In Ray Charles's song "Why Me Lord?" the singer is pondering why they have been so lucky to receive the blessings that they have in their life. They question their worthiness of such blessings and ask what they could have possibly done to deserve such kindness from the Lord. The lyrics then shift to the singer recognizing their own faults and asking for forgiveness and help in finding their way back to the Lord. The singer acknowledges that they have "wasted it so" and that their soul is now in the hands of Jesus.


This song is a reflection of many people's experience with faith and their relationship with God. It is not uncommon for someone to feel overwhelmingly grateful for the blessings in their life, but also question why they have been so lucky. At the same time, it is also not uncommon for someone to recognize their own failures and ask for forgiveness and guidance in finding their way back to faith. This song beautifully encapsulates those emotions and experiences.


Line by Line Meaning

Why me Lord
Why have you been so kind to me, Lord?


What have I ever done
I have not done anything to deserve such blessings


To deserve even one
I am not worthy of any of the blessings I have received


Of the blessings I've known
Of all the good things that have come my way


What did I ever do
I can’t think of anything I did to deserve your love


That was worth love from you
No act of mine justifies the love you have shown me


And the kindness you've shown
The numerous acts of mercy and kindness you've shown me


Lord help me, Jesus
I seek your help, Jesus


I've wasted it so
I have squandered the blessings you gave me


I know what I am
I acknowledge my sins and shortcomings


Now that I know
After realizing that I have failed and I need you


That I've needed you so
I realize that I have always needed your guidance and love


My soul's in your hand
I surrender my soul to you, Jesus


Try me Lord
If you think I can compensate for my sins in any way


If you think there's a way
If you see a way for me to make it up to you


That I can repay
If there is any way that I can restore what I've taken from you


What I've taken from you
If there is a debt I can repay


Maybe Lord
Perhaps there's a way for me to make things right


I can show someone else
If I can inspire someone else with my experience


What I've been through myself
To show others that they are not alone in their struggles


On my way back to you
As I journey towards my home in heaven


Jesus
An expression of faith and devotion to Jesus


My soul's in your hand
I entrust my soul to your care, Jesus




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KRIS KRISTOFFERSON

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

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Why me Lord, what have I ever done
To deserve even one
Of the pleasures I've known
Why me Lord, what did I ever do
That was worth love from you
Or the kindness you've shown.

Lord help me Jesus
I've wasted it so
Help me Jesus
I know what I am
Now that I know that I've needed you so
Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand.


Try me Lord
If you think there's a way I can try to repay what I've taken from you
Maybe Lord, I can show someone else
What I've been through myself
On my way back to you.

Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so
Help me Jesus
I know what I am
Now that I know that I've needed you so
Help me Jesus, my soul's in your hand.

Jesus, my soul is in your hand.



penny zunker

RAY AND JOHNNY ARE BEAUTIFUL TOGETHER!!! THERE ARE NO ACCIDENTS IN THIS WORLD! I'M CERTAIN GOD PUT THEM TOGETHER AND BLESSED THEM BOTH WITH THEIR
GIFTS AND TALENTS AS TWO OF THE
WORLD'S BEST MUSICIANS!!!
MY FATHER LOVED JOHNNY CASH!
I LISTENED TO HIM WHEN MY DAD DID
WHEN I WAS YOUNG! I'M OLDER NOW AND I LISTEN TO HIM OFTEN TOO!
HE REMINDS ME OF MY DAD!!!
WONDERFUL MEMORIES!!!
MY FATHER IS 88 YEARS YOUNG NOW!!!
I'M HOPING TO GO HOME AND LISTEN
TO JOHNNY WITH HIM AGAIN LIKE THE
GOOD OLE DAYS WHEN I WAS A KID!!!
I THINK MY DAD WOULD LOVE THAT!!!
I THINK IT WILL BRING HAPPY TEARS TO BOTH OF OUR 👀 EYES!!!
WE BOTH LOVE SUNDAY MORNING
COMING DOWN TOO!!!
WHAT A LEGEND JOHNNY AND RAY
ARE!!! PRAISE GOD THEY ARE AT THE HOMESHORE!!!
BLESSED SO MANY LIVES!!!



All comments from YouTube:

Daniel Erbes

Ray and Johnny had a lot in common. They both grew up dirt poor in the south, lost brothers at young ages due to tragedies, had drug issues, experienced marital and woman problems, these legends are peas in a pod

Byron Hutchinson

Yes they lost brothers at young ages, but ray wasn't blamed by his father for his brothers death. Johnny was

person

@Byron Hutchinson and Johnny didn't get blind :/

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Arlene Steuber

We need HIM more today than ever! Please pray for our country.

Susan Hutchison

More true in 2022

Linda Norris

RIGHT ON. WE NEED BOTH OF THEM!

Alvaro Alvarez

A SONG WRITTEN ON THE DAY OF ONE MANS SALVATION . PERFORMED BY TWO MEN THAT AT ONE TIME WERE LOST.  THANK YOU LORD FOR YOUR EXCELLENT TASTE IN MUSIC...... 

MR.G Blues Doc

+Sublime Music Channel No the sword represents the scripture tht the Word of God the Bible is our sword of the spirit

CashPresley32

And our other swords of the spirit are the Book of Mormon, Doctrine And Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.

Aren Moore

Love this comment. (original)
Oh and when you can rebuke a demon with the book of Mormon let me know. Till then I'll stay with "Ol Trusty"!

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