In his own words (from his myspace page):
“For me it’s all about the SONG. I remember watching my father sitting at our dining room table for hours and hours with his pencil and pad crafting his songs; spending the time to find the perfect word, the perfect chord, the perfect melody. That really made an impression on me. When I write a song it really is a kind of science, an operation; but it isn’t mathematical or calculated, it is alive and breathing and moving. At the risk of sounding like a hippie on a soapbox, music is still powerful and holy and sacred to me. You can turn it into a product and a business, but you can’t start it that way. To me the genesis of a song has to be honest and unassuming. I truly believe that God hands me these gifts and it is my job to translate them as honestly as I can. You have to let a song be what it is. We can’t lose that. When I write songs, I like to focus on the fact that we are all the same and we are all just searching for answers and trying to make sense of everything. It's about exploring life and celebrating truth when you find it.”
Saint's Heart In A Sinner's Skin
Sean McConnell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hate the taste of it, that day after regret
I got down on my knees, I said 'God it's me again
Don't quit listening yeah don't give up on me yet' No.
I got the best of intentions, but the worst follow through
Sometimes when the night falls, it can cover up the truth
And there's no excuse, except for everyone I make
I feel like I'm gonna break. I'm a
Chorus:
Saint's heart in a sinner's skin
I Feel them in there wrestling
I know the spirit and the devil's touch
I just never know which one's gonna win
Yeah I'm a saint's heart in a sinner's skin
Yeah I'm a saint's heart in a sinner's skin
Father forgive me, I know exactly what I do
And I keep doin it, right in front of you
Yeah, but I heard you're patient
Yeah, well I sure hope that's true
'Cause it's been a long, long, long time
Since I've been real with you, I'm a
Chorus x2
Yeah I'm a saint's heart in a sinner's skin
Yeah I'm a saint's heart in a sinner's skin
The song "Saint's Heart In A Sinner's Skin" by Sean McConnell talks about the inner conflict of a person between spirituality and sin. The song portrays the struggle of a person with his vices and virtues. The lyrics are rich in metaphors where the singer is the Saint's Heart and the outer shell is the Sinner's Skin. The song begins with the singer waking up with a hangover and regretting drinking the previous night. The singer confesses his sins to God, hoping not to be abandoned by him.
The chorus of the song emphasizes the internal struggle of the singer where he feels like he has a "saint's heart in a sinner's skin". He is aware of his spiritual side, but the demon inside of him keeps tempting him, and he doesn't know which side will win. The singer tries to connect with God and acknowledges that he has been running away from him. He also seeks forgiveness for his sins.
The song has deep meanings and is relatable as many people have their own inner demons that they are fighting with. It's a song about hope and redemption, acknowledging one's sins and asking for forgiveness. The song helps listeners realize that accepting one's faults is the first step towards change.
Line by Line Meaning
Woke up wasted with whiskey on my breath
I woke up feeling the negative effects of drinking whiskey the night before
I hate the taste of it, that day after regret
I regret drinking whiskey because it makes me feel terrible the next day
I got down on my knees, I said 'God it's me again
I prayed to God, asking for his forgiveness and guidance
Don't quit listening yeah don't give up on me yet' No.
I asked God not to stop listening to me and to continue guiding me
I got the best of intentions, but the worst follow through
I have good intentions, but I struggle to follow through on them
Sometimes when the night falls, it can cover up the truth
At night, it can be easier to avoid facing the truth about my actions and behavior
And there's no excuse, except for everyone I make
I often make excuses for my behavior, but they are all unfounded
It goes on and on and on and on
My cycle of negative behavior repeats itself continuously, with no end in sight
I feel like I'm gonna break. I'm a
I feel overwhelmed and close to breaking point
Chorus: Saint's heart in a sinner's skin
I try to have a good heart and follow God, but my actions and behavior are sinful
I Feel them in there wrestling
I struggle with conflicting feelings and impulses
I know the spirit and the devil's touch
I am aware of the influence of both good and evil in my life
I just never know which one's gonna win
I am uncertain which influence will be stronger in a given situation
Father forgive me, I know exactly what I do
I recognize my behavior as wrong and am asking for God's forgiveness
And I keep doin it, right in front of you
I continue engaging in negative behavior despite God's presence and influence
Yeah, but I heard you're patient
I have heard that God is patient and forgiving
Yeah, well I sure hope that's true
I am hoping and relying on God's patience to forgive my behavior
'Cause it's been a long, long, long time
It has been a significant amount of time since I have truly faced my behavior and asked for forgiveness
Since I've been real with you, I'm a
I have not been honest or true with God about my behavior
Chorus x2
Repeating the idea of trying to have a good heart but still struggling with sinful behavior
Yeah I'm a saint's heart in a sinner's skin
Repeating the central idea of the song, that the singer wants to follow God but struggles with negative behavior
Contributed by Henry F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.