Psalm
Roxy Music Lyrics


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Try on your love
Like a new dress
The fit and the cut
Your friends to impress
Try on your smile,
Square on your face
Showing affection
Should be no disgrace
Try out your God
Hope He will send
Kindness from strangers

On whom you depend
Try on His coat
A mantle most fine
Myriad colors
His harmony-thine
Believe in me
Once seemed a good line
Now belief in Jesus
Is faith more sublime
Head in the clouds
But I can't see the Lord
Short of perfection
I'll try to be good
I'll stand at His gate
I'll wait for His sign
Then I'll walk in His garden

When it's my time
Drink from His cup
Hush now don't you cry
His quiet waters
Will never, never run dry
Nearing death's vale
He's here by my side
He leads me to paradise
A mountain so high
Don't be afraid
Just treasure His word
Singing His praises
I know that I'll be heard
He's gonna take you by the hand
He's gonna make you feel so good
Open up your eyes

And then you'll see all that you should
Forget all your troubles
You will feel no pain
He's all that you need
He's your everything
When I'm feeling all at sea
Deliverance is that distant shore
I will not be worried




Someday His house will be my home
For ever more

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Roxy Music's song "Psalm" appear to be about the search for faith and confidence in love, as well as the struggle to find peace and comfort in the face of death. Bryan Ferry's vocals convey a sense of searching, as he encourages the listener to try on different aspects of life until they find what fits them best. The metaphor of "trying on" different things, like love, God, and self-confidence, emphasizes the process of experimenting and finding a personal path to contentment.


The third verse of the song shifts the focus explicitly to religious themes, as Ferry discusses belief in Jesus as being more "sublime" than other beliefs he once held. This verse seems to suggest that the singer has found some solace in religion or spirituality, although he still has doubts ("head in the clouds / but I can't see the Lord"). The last few verses of the song turn again to thoughts of death and the afterlife, with Ferry describing paradise as a "mountain so high" and urging the listener to be unafraid.


Overall, "Psalm" can be interpreted as a meditation on the search for meaning and comfort in life, from trying on different identities to finding faith in something greater than oneself.


Line by Line Meaning

Try on your love
Test the strength and effectiveness of your love towards someone


Like a new dress
As if trying on a newly bought clothing item


The fit and the cut
How well it matches and suits you


Your friends to impress
In order to get admiration or respect from your friends


Try on your smile,
Put on a happy expression


Square on your face
Straight and sincere


Showing affection
Expressing love and fondness


Should be no disgrace
It's nothing to be ashamed of


Try out your God
Put your faith in God and see what happens


Hope He will send
Wishing for help from Him


Kindness from strangers
The help may come from unexpected sources


On whom you depend
Those who you rely on


Try on His coat
Adopt His ways and practices


A mantle most fine
A high-quality cloak


Myriad colors
Plenty of different hues indicating the diversity of the world and the potential within it


His harmony-thine
Aim to achieve harmony with Him and His ways


Believe in me
Have faith in my words


Once seemed a good line
It was enough to believe in the singer alone


Now belief in Jesus
But now, to gain eternal life, belief in Jesus is needed


Is faith more sublime
Is faith purer and more elevated


Head in the clouds
Lost in thought


But I can't see the Lord
Despite my thoughts, I am still uncertain of His existence


Short of perfection
Far from flawless


I'll try to be good
I will strive to act in a morally sound and just way


I'll stand at His gate
I will wait to see if I am worthy of entering heaven


I'll wait for His sign
I will anticipate a signal from God


Then I'll walk in His garden
If deemed worthy, I will enter His kingdom


When it's my time
When the time comes for me to leave this world


Drink from His cup
Consume His teachings and practices


Hush now don't you cry
Don't be distressed, everything will be alright


His quiet waters
His peaceful and tranquil realm


Will never, never run dry
Will always provide enough for everyone without end


Nearing death's vale
Getting closer to the end of life


He's here by my side
God is with me as I face death


He leads me to paradise
He guides me to His kingdom


A mountain so high
It's a lofty and beautiful place


Don't be afraid
Have courage and trust in God


Just treasure His word
Value and follow His teachings


Singing His praises
Celebrating and honoring God


I know that I'll be heard
I trust that He will listen to me and take care of me


He's gonna take you by the hand
He will guide you through life


He's gonna make you feel so good
He will fill you with positivity and love


Open up your eyes
Gain a new perspective and look at life anew


And then you'll see all that you should
Then you'll understand and realize everything you need to


Forget all your troubles
Leave your worries and cares behind


You will feel no pain
You will not suffer any longer


He's all that you need
God is enough to lead a fulfilling life


He's your everything
He is the most important and essential aspect of one's being


When I'm feeling all at sea
When lost and confused in life


Deliverance is that distant shore
Salvation is the solution, even though it may seem far away


I will not be worried
I will have faith and trust in God


Someday His house will be my home
One day I will join Him in heaven and be a part of His kingdom forevermore




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRYAN FERRY

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

@captivatedheartsart

Full Lyrics:
Try on your love
Like a new dress
The fit and the cut
Your friends to impress
Try on your smile,
Square on your face
Showing affection
Should be no disgrace
Try out your God
Hope He will send
Kindness from strangers

On whom you depend
Try on His coat
A mantle most fine
Myriad colors
His harmony-thine
Believe in me
Once seemed a good line
Now belief in Jesus
Is faith more sublime
Head in the clouds
But I can't see the Lord
Short of perfection
I'll try to be good
I'll stand at His gate
I'll wait for His sign
Then I'll walk in His garden

When it's my time
Drink from His cup
Hush now don't you cry
His quiet waters
Will never, never run dry
Nearing death's vale
He's here by my side
He leads me to paradise
A mountain so high
Don't be afraid
Just treasure His word
Singing His praises
I know that I'll be heard
He's gonna take you by the hand
He's gonna make you feel so good
Open up your eyes

And then you'll see all that you should
Forget all your troubles
You will feel no pain
He's all that you need
He's your everything
When I'm feeling all at sea
Deliverance is that distant shore
I will not be worried
Someday His house will be my home
For ever more



All comments from YouTube:

@regineschmidt9494

Für mich der beste und schönste Musiker. Er hat mich mit seiner Stimme und seiner Ausstrahlung und mit seinen Texten durch mein Leben begleitet. ❤

@mosriteminioncause7741

Better theology than alot of sermons I've heard....a Masterpiece... but It's Roxy Music... what do you expect?

@lornebailey1568

Yea , Man ! And thank you for knowing the difference between Than and Then.

@mosriteminioncause7741

@@lornebailey1568 Well, back in 1974, (I was in second grade!) teachers taught English better THEN, ...THAN, they do now. ....THEY'RE seemingly less educated now than THEIR predecessors....☮👍

@purrmeowutah5501

Bryan Ferry's voice still melts me! Even after all these years. He could be singing a grocery list & I'd be reduced to a puddle. Yeah! 😍😻

@sammiii174

Same

@maureenmcdade2

And me. I melted in 1972- never managed to recover.. 😉😉❤️❤️🥂🥂🥂🥂

@barbarabain4303

yes, he turns me into a warm little puddle of amour..

@helenesteinberg7189

Bryan Ferry is like a tall glass of ice water in a drought!

@coolmum47

😂 ... I know what you mean, it has the same effect on me !!!

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