Shirley Caesar (born October 13, 1938 in Durham, North Carolina) is an Amer… Read Full Bio ↴Shirley Caesar (born October 13, 1938 in Durham, North Carolina) is an American Gospel music singer. She is a multi-award winner with eleven Grammy awards and seven Dove awards to her credit. She is a graduate of Shaw University with a degree in Business Administration. She also received an honorary doctorate from Shaw University and another one from Southeastern University.

Pastor Shirley has recorded over forty albums since the 60s exploring her gift and spreading messages of faith. She has participated in over 16 compilations and three gospel musicals, Mama I Want to Sing, Sing: Mama 2, and Born to Sing: Mama 3. Her credits also include a series of commercials for MCI Communications and several awards for her recordings. She has been awarded 11 Grammy Awards, 13 Stellar Awards, 18 Doves, 3 RIAA gold certifications, an Essence Award, McDonald's Golden Circle Lifetime Achievement Award, NAACP Achievement Award, SESAC Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Pastor Shirley has made several notable appearances including the televised Live from Disney World Night of Joy, the Gospel According to VH-1, a White House performance for George Bush, and a speech on the Evolution of Gospel Music to the US Treasury Department.
She has blessed so many around the world and will remain an example.

You Changed Me Over
Shirley Caesar Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

What have I done to deserve so much love from you? Tell me Lord
And why am I blessed to feel your presence ever near me? Tell me

In weaker days my spirit never been so strong
Lord, I don't know how I made it
But Lord, you promised me, if only I would confess all my sins
You told me, you would forgive me, Jesus
And make me over again

You made me over, yes you did
You made me over
When I was down in sorrow by then, Jesus
You changed me over, Lord,
I want you to know that you made me over again

I wanted to right all of my wrongs
That were down in my heart, oh yes, I did, Jesus
I was vain and full of pride, satisfied with myself
But Lord, one day you cleansed my heart

You gave me brand new thoughts and gave peace to my simple mind
Lord, you filled my soul with love, you gave me so warm and kind
And then Lord, you promised me, if I was just to confess all the sins
Lord, you told me in your word,
you'd forgive me and make me over again

You made me over, you made me brand new
I was down in a sinful life
You changed me over
The things I used to do, I do no more
You changed me over
And the places I used to go, I don't go no more
Lord, that's how I know, you changed me over, yes, you did
I want to tell everybody what you've been doing for me
Lord, you've changed my walk, you've changed my talk

Hallelujah, Jesus has changed me over, oh yes you did
And you told me in your word.

Overall Meaning

In Shirley Caesar's gospel hit "You Changed Me Over," the lyrics express gratitude and appreciation towards the Lord for the many blessings and positive changes in the singer's life. The song begins with a question directed towards the Lord, asking why the singer has been so blessed with the love and presence of the Lord in their life. The singer then goes on to talk about the struggles they faced, but through the Lord's promise of forgiveness and cleansing, they were able to overcome those struggles and come out stronger on the other side.

The lyrics emphasize the transformation that the Lord has brought upon the singer's life. They describe how the Lord has made them a new person, with new thoughts, peace in their mind, and love in their heart. The Lord's forgiveness and grace have allowed them to let go of their past mistakes and start anew. The lyrics acknowledge that the singer has been changed for the better, with the Lord's help, and they want to share this transformation with others.

Overall, "You Changed Me Over" is a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith and the grace of the Lord. It encourages listeners to seek forgiveness for their sins and trust in the Lord's ability to transform their lives for the better.

Line by Line Meaning

What have I done to deserve so much love from you? Tell me Lord
Asking God to explain the immense amount of love He has shown towards the singer.

And why am I blessed to feel your presence ever near me? Tell me
Questioning why the singer is so fortunate to always experience God's nearness.

In weaker days my spirit never been so strong
Reflecting on how weak the singer's spirit used to be compared to now.

Lord, I don't know how I made it
Expressing confusion and gratitude for God's help in overcoming hardships.

But Lord, you promised me, if only I would confess all my sins
Acknowledging God's promise to forgive sins if the singer confesses them.

You told me, you would forgive me, Jesus
Recalling God's promise to forgive sins through Jesus.

And make me over again
Asking God to transform the singer's life.

You made me over, yes you did
Acknowledging that God has transformed the singer's life.

When I was down in sorrow by then, Jesus
Describing a time when the singer was feeling sad and lost.

You changed me over, Lord,
Recognizing that God has lifted the singer out of their sorrow.

I want you to know that you made me over again
Expressing gratitude to God for transforming the singer's life.

I wanted to right all of my wrongs
Desiring to correct mistakes of the past.

That were down in my heart, oh yes, I did, Jesus
Acknowledging the presence of sinful thoughts and actions in the singer's heart.

I was vain and full of pride, satisfied with myself
Confessing a past struggle with arrogance and self-satisfaction.

But Lord, one day you cleansed my heart
Recognizing that God has purified the singer's heart.

You gave me brand new thoughts and gave peace to my simple mind
Describing a newfound sense of inner peace and positive thinking.

Lord, you filled my soul with love, you gave me so warm and kind
Acknowledging God's role in filling the singer's soul with love and kindness.

Lord, you told me in your word, you'd forgive me and make me over again
Recalling God's promise to forgive sins and transform lives described in the Bible.

You made me over, you made me brand new
Celebrating the transformation that God has brought about in the singer's life.

I was down in a sinful life
Acknowledging a past life of sin and wrongdoing.

The things I used to do, I do no more
Describing how the singer's behavior has changed as a result of God's transformation.

And the places I used to go, I don't go no more
Describing how the singer's lifestyle has changed as a result of God's transformation.

Lord, that's how I know, you changed me over, yes, you did
Reiterating the fact that God has brought about a significant change in the singer's life.

I want to tell everybody what you've been doing for me
Expressing a desire to share with others the positive changes in the singer's life.

Lord, you've changed my walk, you've changed my talk
Acknowledging that God has transformed the way the singer lives and communicates.

Hallelujah, Jesus has changed me over, oh yes you did
Praising God for His transformational power.

Contributed by Hunter F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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