Three Dog Night is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California best … Read Full Bio ↴Three Dog Night is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California best known for their music from 1968 to 1975, during which time they achieved twenty-one consecutive Billboard Top 40 Hits and 12 consecutive Gold Albums. Three Dog Night are still active in 2012, touring and recording 43 years after their first album was released. The first of the band's 7 million-selling singles was One in 1969. They scored three number one singles: Mama Told Me (Not to Come), Joy to the World and Black and White.

The original lineup included three lead vocalists — Danny Hutton, Chuck Negron, and Cory Wells — along with Michael Allsup on guitar, Jimmy Greenspoon on keyboards Floyd Sneed on drums and Joe Schermie (from the Cory Wells Blues Band) on bass.

Three Dog Night recorded some tracks with Beach Boys producer, composer, vocalist, and instrumentalist Brian Wilson before signing with Dunhill Records and at the time went under the name Redwood. The band changed their name based on an article describing how Australian Aborigines slept with their dogs for warmth on cold nights, the coldest being a "three-dog night."

Heavy Church
Three Dog Night Lyrics

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Light my way with incensed candles ooh.
Rug so soft beneath my sandals, ooh.
I've never been in here before
Like to feel the glory.

Mercy, mercy on the love defenders
Have pity on the pretenders
A little help from all lifes losers

A little truth from the mind abusers
Ooh I need them playing in the Heavy Church

If you judge the way they're living ooh,
Try to see the truth their giving you
They only want to touch your hand with understanding.

Mercy, mercy on the love defenders
Have pity on the pretenders
A little help from all Lots losers
A little truth from the mind abusers
Ooh I need them playing in the Heavy Church

Mercy, mercy on the love defenders
Have pity on the pretenders
A little help from all lifes losers
A little truth from the mind abusers

Mercy, mercy on the love defenders
Have pity on the pretenders
A little help from all lifes losers
A little truth from the mind abusers
Hear them, hear them, hear them, hear them
Run and see the truth they're giving you
Hear them, hear them
Run and see the truth they're giving you
Hear them, hear them
Run
Hear them, hear them
Run and see the truth they're giving you

Hear them, hear them
Run

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Three Dog Night's song "Heavy Church" depict a spiritual moment where the singer is entering a holy place for the first time. The first two lines of the song convey a sense of reverence as the singer walks into the room. The use of "incensed candles" suggests that the scene is one of religious significance. The "rug so soft beneath my sandals" indicates that the space is a sacred and comfortable environment where one can be at peace.

The chorus of the song speaks to the need for mercy and understanding, not just for those who are perceived as "love defenders," but also those who are seen as "pretenders." This suggests that even those who are living in a way that is not considered by others to be valid or authentic, still deserve compassion and empathy. The mention of "lifes losers" and "mind abusers" suggests that everyone has their own cross to bear, and that we should offer compassion to all who are struggling.

Overall, "Heavy Church" is a call for unity and understanding, regardless of one's beliefs or way of life. The singer's experience in the holy place suggests that even those who are not religious can find solace in spirituality and that everyone deserves mercy and understanding.

Line by Line Meaning

Light my way with incensed candles ooh.
Guide me with the sweet fragrance of incense sticks.

Rug so soft beneath my sandals, ooh.
This soft and plush rug beneath me feels so comfortable and pleasing.

I've never been in here before Like to feel the glory.
Though I'm a first-time visitor, I'm excited to experience the magnificence of this place.

Mercy, mercy on the love defenders Have pity on the pretenders A little help from all life's losers A little truth from the mind abusers Ooh I need them playing in the Heavy Church
Let the truly devoted people receive mercy, and let the others, who are faking it, be compassionate. Let everyone, even the ones who have lost in life, get a little support, and let the ones who abuse their mental powers receive some truth. These people should be welcome in the church we are referring to.

If you judge the way they're living ooh, Try to see the truth their giving you They only want to touch your hand with understanding.
Don't be too quick to judge them, try and learn what they have to say. All they want is to empathize with your situation.

Hear them, hear them, hear them, hear them Run and see the truth they're giving you Hear them, hear them Run and see the truth they're giving you Hear them, hear them Run
Pay attention to them, and make an effort to learn what they're saying to you. Don't waste any time in doing so.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN O'DAY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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