If There
Ry Cooder Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Republicans changed the lock on heaven's door
Keys to the kingdom don't fill no more
The poor working man like me and you
If we ain't got money we won't I get through
If there's a God I think He's got to bottle up and go
If there's still a God in heaven He's got to hit that lonesome road

No more Jesus, Mary and Joe
They done passed Heaven Bill 1070
Restricted signs everywhere you go
I think they want to bring back old Jim Crow
If there's a God I think He's got to bottle up and go
If there's still a God in heaven He's got to hit that lonesome road

Angel Gabriel said it won't be long
Republiclan is getting strong
Heaven folks are feeling bad
Lose everything that we ever had

If you brown you can't hang around
If you black better step way back
If you' red I think you're better off dead
If you poor and white you just ain't right
If there's a God I think He's got to bottle up and go
If there's a God in heaven today He's got to hit that lonesome road
If there's a God I think He's got to bottle up and go
If there's a God in heaven hitting that lonesome road
Out by the highway sign
???
Don't nobody seem to know him no more
Don't have a passport
Don't have a driver's license
Insurance
Membership




Fat bank account
Friends in high places

Overall Meaning

The song "If There's a God" by Ry Cooder speaks about the situation of the poor and working-class people in America. The lyrics depict a sense of frustration and cynicism towards the government policies and discriminatory practices that benefit only the wealthy people. The Republicans are accused of closing the doors of heaven to the poor and marginalized people, by passing laws that discriminate against them. The keys to the kingdom, which were once intended to fill the voids of the less privileged, now serve no purpose for those who cannot afford them. The song echoes the sentiment that if there exists a God in heaven, it is time for Him to leave and take the role of a wanderer on the lonesome road.


The song also makes references to the restrictive signs placed everywhere, which resemble the dark period of segregation, known as "Jim Crow." The lyrics suggest that the government is trying to bring back the same oppressive regime by placing restrictions and limiting the freedom of movement for the people. The song calls out the systemic racism that is still prevalent in American society, targeting different racial groups based on the color of their skin, and economic status.


The song evokes a deep sense of pain and anguish among the listeners as it raises questions about the consequences of political policies and the plight of the poor, for whom the power structure seems to have no regard. The lyrics act as a warning to those in authority that even the Almighty, who stands for justice and fairness, will not tolerate acts of injustice and callousness.


Line by Line Meaning

Republicans changed the lock on heaven's door
The political party controlling the society today forcefully took control of heaven and prevented others from having access


Keys to the kingdom don't fill no more
Those who wield power over heaven no longer offer favors to good-hearted individuals


The poor working man like me and you If we ain't got money we won't I get through
People having a low socio-economic status, like me and you, cannot quickly get to heaven when having limited financial means.


If there's a God I think He's got to bottle up and go If there's still a God in heaven He's got to hit that lonesome road
If a God exists, then I'm sure that this God would have left, as Heaven has become exclusive for only a particular segment of society.


No more Jesus, Mary and Joe They done passed Heaven Bill 1070 Restricted signs everywhere you go I think they want to bring back old Jim Crow
The people who run heaven have passed a law (Heaven Bill 1070) and posted barricades everywhere to make it difficult for minorities to enter, evoking a system used in history which limited opportunities for black people in America (Jim Crow)


Angel Gabriel said it won't be long Republiclan is getting strong Heaven folks are feeling bad Lose everything that we ever had
A messenger of God, Gabriel, has predicted that it won't be long until the Republican side becomes more powerful. The people who have been living in heaven are becoming unhappy since they have lost all they once had.


If you brown you can't hang around If you black better step way back If you' red I think you're better off dead If you poor and white you just ain't right
If you are non-white, you are not welcome in heaven's society. If you are poor and white, they will still discriminate against you.


Out by the highway sign ??? Don't nobody seem to know him no more Don't have a passport Don't have a driver's license Insurance Membership Fat bank account Friends in high places
The person out by the highway sign represents people who have been marginalized by society and have nothing to their name - no identification, no insurance, no connections, or any financial support system. Nobody seems to recognize or acknowledge them.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RY COODER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

charlie ranke

love that image you put in my mind
oh my
one day i might get the courage to thailand my life
i hope so
then stand back brother
yo woman gonna be dancing with me over pancakes and bananas
while you wish you never posted here

peace and love
and thanks


rock on



All comments from YouTube:

Pati Woitach

Can't stop watching this! Once a week. Feeds my soul. Thanks Ry and your awesome band.

Ellen🌞sugarmag🌞

Ditto with a Capital D 🎯

Geoff Downes

His son, Joachim, on drums I believe...🤔

Renee

Agree I can’t stop watching! ❤

Rubba Dubdub

His sense of melody and timing is just supernatural - he instinctively knows exactly what note to play - and sometimes more importantly, what note not to play! Inspiring.

David Garza

Man the deep groove on this track is something special.

Kevin Goodwin

Indeed !!

Paul Kragh

Ry Cooder is the best guitarist most people never heard of.

Elizabeth Towle

That's true and it's very odd! I do my part though, sharing far and wide. I've adored this man since the 70's.

Nelson Lugo

I ain't most people

More Comments

More Versions