Song of a Sinner
Top Drawer Lyrics


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How can You keep me
Knowing I've made You, sadly
And yet I ask to be forgiven
Knowing the life that I've been living
And yes, I know it's too late
Cuz on Your judgment day You're going to close Your gate
On me
On me
On me

And now He left, here on my own
To face hell
All alone

...

But Lord, You've got to understand
That I'm just 20 and a rebel young man
And it's all to touch a state of mind
But I could see You and still be blind
And yet, I ask to be forgiven Ooh Lord
Knowing the life that I've been living
And yes, I know it's too late
Cuz on Your judgment day You're going to close Your gates
On me
On me
On me

And now He left, here on my own




To face hell
All alone

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Top Drawer's song "Song of a Sinner" tell the story of a remorseful young man who acknowledges that he has lived a life full of sin and begs for forgiveness from God, despite knowing that he may be too late. The opening lines express his desperation and guilt, questioning how God could continue to love and keep him when he has made God sad through his actions. Despite this, the singer still asks for God's mercy, although he knows that judgment day is approaching and he fears he may not make it to heaven.


As the song progresses, the singer continues to plead with God for forgiveness, explaining that he is only a young man who has made mistakes and that he may have been blinded to God's love in the past. He acknowledges that he will have to face the consequences of his actions and go to hell, but still holds onto the hope that God will take pity on him and let him through the gates of heaven. The final lines of the song suggest that the singer is resigned to his fate and will face hell alone, with the knowledge that his sins have caught up to him.


Line by Line Meaning

How can You keep me
Expressing the disbelief that God could continue to love and care for them despite the sins they have committed.


Knowing I've made You, sadly
Acknowledging that their actions have caused sorrow to God.


And yet I ask to be forgiven
Despite knowing the severity of their sins, they humbly request God's forgiveness.


Knowing the life that I've been living
They understand that their past actions have been immoral and against God's teachings.


And yes, I know it's too late
They realize that they cannot change the past and that it may be too late for redemption.


Cuz on Your judgment day You're going to close Your gate
Reference to the belief that God will close the gates of heaven to those who have not repented and asked for forgiveness.


On me
Emphasizing that they fear being rejected by God's love and left to face the consequences of their actions.


And now He left, here on my own
Feeling abandoned by God and left to face the consequences of their sins.


To face hell
Reference to the belief that those who do not repent and seek forgiveness will face an afterlife of punishment.


All alone
Feeling lonely and desolate without God's love and guidance.


But Lord, You've got to understand
Addressing God and hoping for empathy and understanding despite their mistakes.


That I'm just 20 and a rebel young man
Using their youth and rebelliousness as an excuse for their past actions.


And it's all to touch a state of mind
Trying to justify their actions as a means of exploring their own state of mind.


But I could see You and still be blind
Acknowledging that their previous actions and beliefs had blinded them from seeing God and His teachings.


Ooh Lord
Expressing a plea or cry for help to God.


And now He left, here on my own
Reiterating the feeling of abandonment and loneliness in their current state.


To face hell
Reemphasizing the fear of punishment in the afterlife.


All alone
Reemphasizing the feeling of loneliness and separation from God.




Contributed by Emily R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@luigimazza9109

How can You keep me
Knowing I've made You, sadly
And yet I ask to be forgiven
Knowing the life that I've been living
And yes, I know it's too late
Cuz on Your judgment day You're going to close Your gate
On me
On me
On me

And now He left, here on my own
To face hell
All alone

...

But Lord, You've got to understand
That I'm just 20 and a rebel young man
And it's all to touch a state of mind
But I could see You and still be blind
And yet, I ask to be forgiven Ooh Lord
Knowing the life that I've been living
And yes, I know it's too late
Cuz on Your judgment day You're going to close Your gates
On me
On me
On me

And now He left, here on my own
To face hell
All alone



All comments from YouTube:

@johnbgood52

I remember this well. We recorded this 41 years ago at a small studio in Louisville, KY. Good times. I wasn't much of a guitarist in those days, but I hadn't been at it very long, so I suppose that can be excused. :-)

@edmeadows4098

"excused"? dude, that guitar was perfect. you didn't try to do too much which is what makes it that much more of a classic. the vocals by Steve are hauntingly tremendous. amazing how lightning struck on this recording. Spotify suggested the track to me on the Discover Weekly. so thankful they made the suggestion.

@joyusachoobarb

are you kidding me, this solo is my life

@gogol1st

WTF !! you have to be forgiven !! ahahah

@MikeyStrutter

Way too humble. This could have easily been considered a classic if it gained enough/proper publicity.

@michaelbufe4190

For me as a Guitar Player for almost 45 Years its great!

81 More Replies...

@KrojacicaSudbine

"I'm hungry, Eva, darling. I'm so hungry!"


jesus christ that ending was just wow

@DeusImperium

The look on John's face through that entire ending was priceless.

@KrojacicaSudbine

@@DeusImperium It's Joe, but yeah lmao that was literally me like wtf. I really didn't expect that. That also kinda explains Meyer's reaction in the car with Colonel when he said "oh it's you!" considering some stuff i won't mention cause spoilers

@duncanthompson957

Krojacica Sudbine ...yes!!!

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