Born during the Great Depression and raised by his grandparents, Nelson wrote his first song at age seven and joined his first band at ten. During high school, he toured locally with the Bohemian Polka as their lead singer and guitar player. After graduating from high school in 1950, he joined the U.S. Air Force but was later discharged due to back problems. After his return, Nelson attended Baylor University for two years but dropped out because he was succeeding in music. During this time, he worked as a disc jockey in Texas radio stations and a singer in honky-tonks. Nelson moved to Vancouver, Washington, where he wrote "Family Bible" and recorded the song "Lumberjack" in 1956. He also worked as a disc jockey at various radio stations in Vancouver and nearby Portland, Oregon. In 1958, he moved to Houston, Texas, after signing a contract with D Records. He sang at the Esquire Ballroom weekly and he worked as a disk jockey. During that time, he wrote songs that would become country standards, including "Funny How Time Slips Away", "Hello Walls", "Pretty Paper", and "Crazy". In 1960 he moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and later signed a publishing contract with Pamper Music which allowed him to join Ray Price's band as a bassist. In 1962, he recorded his first album, ...And Then I Wrote. Due to this success, Nelson signed in 1964 with RCA Victor and joined the Grand Ole Opry the following year. After mid-chart hits in the late 1960s and the early 1970s, Nelson retired in 1972 and moved to Austin, Texas. The ongoing music scene of Austin motivated Nelson to return from retirement, performing frequently at the Armadillo World Headquarters.
In 1973, after signing with Atlantic Records, Nelson turned to outlaw country, including albums such as Shotgun Willie and Phases and Stages. In 1975, he switched to Columbia Records, where he recorded the critically acclaimed album Red Headed Stranger. The same year, he recorded another outlaw country album, Wanted! The Outlaws, along with Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, and Tompall Glaser. During the mid-1980s, while creating hit albums like Honeysuckle Rose and recording hit songs like "On the Road Again", "To All the Girls I've Loved Before", and "Pancho and Lefty", he joined the country supergroup The Highwaymen, along with fellow singers Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson.
In 1990, Nelson's assets were seized by the Internal Revenue Service, which claimed that he owed $32 million. The difficulty of paying his outstanding debt was aggravated by weak investments he had made during the 1980s. In 1992, Nelson released The IRS Tapes: Who'll Buy My Memories?; the profits of the double album—destined to the IRS—and the auction of Nelson's assets cleared his debt. During the 1990s and 2000s, Nelson continued touring extensively, and released albums every year. Reviews ranged from positive to mixed. He explored genres such as reggae, blues, jazz, and folk.
Nelson made his first movie appearance in the 1979 film The Electric Horseman, followed by other appearances in movies and on television. Nelson is a major liberal activist and the co-chair of the advisory board of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), which is in favor of marijuana legalization. On the environmental front, Nelson owns the bio-diesel brand Willie Nelson Biodiesel, which is made from vegetable oil. Nelson is also the honorary chairman of the advisory board of the Texas Music Project, the official music charity of the state of Texas.
Nelson uses a variety of music styles to create his own distinctive blend of country music, a hybrid of jazz, pop, blues, rock and folk. His "unique sound", which uses a "relaxed, behind-the-beat singing style and gut-string guitar" and his "nasal voice and jazzy, off-center phrasing", has been responsible for his wide appeal, and has made him a "vital icon in country music", influencing the "new country, new traditionalist, and alternative country movements of the 1980s and 1990s".
In 1969, the Baldwin company gave Nelson an amplifier and guitar with their "Prismatone" pickup. During a show in Helotes, Texas, Nelson left the guitar on the floor of the stage, and it was later stepped on by a drunk man. He sent it to be repaired in Nashville by Shot Jackson, who told Nelson that the damage was too great. Jackson offered him a Martin N-20 Classical guitar, and, at Nelson's request, moved the pickup to the Martin. Nelson purchased the guitar unseen for $750 and named it after Roy Rogers' horse "Trigger". The next year Nelson rescued the guitar from his burning ranch.
Constant strumming with a guitar pick over the decades has worn a large sweeping hole into the guitar's body near the sound hole—the N-20 has no pick-guard since classical guitars are meant to be played fingerstyle instead of with picks. Its soundboard has been signed by over a hundred of Nelson's friends and associates, ranging from fellow musicians to lawyers and football coaches. The first signature on the guitar was Leon Russell's, who asked Nelson initially to sign his guitar. When Nelson was about to sign it with a marker, Russell requested him to scratch it instead, explaining that the guitar would be more valuable in the future. Interested in the concept, Nelson requested Russell to also sign his guitar. In 1991, during his process with the IRS, Nelson was worried that Trigger could be auctioned off, stating: "When Trigger goes, I'll quit". He asked his daughter, Lana, to take the guitar from the studio before any IRS agent arrived there, and then deliver it to him in Maui. Nelson then concealed the guitar in his manager's house until his debt was paid off in 1993.
Nelson is widely recognized as an American icon. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1993, and he received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1998. In 2011, Nelson was inducted to the National Agricultural Hall of Fame, for his labor in Farm Aid and other fund raisers to benefit farmers. In 2015 Nelson won the Gershwin Prize, the lifetime award of the Library of Congress. In 2018 The Texas Institute of Letters inducted him among its members for his songwriting. He was included by Rolling Stone on its 100 Greatest Singers and 100 Greatest Guitarists lists.
In God's Eyes
Willie Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's just as wrong to think as to say
For a thought is but a word that's unspoken
In God's eyes He sees it this way
Lend a hand if you can to a stranger
Never worry if he can't repay
For in time you'll be repaid ten times over
In God's eyes we're like sheep in a meadow
Now and then a lamb goes astray
But open arms should await it's returning
In God's eyes He sees it this way
In God's eyes we're like sheep in a meadow
Now and then a lamb goes astray
But open arms should await it's returning
In God's eyes He sees it this way
The lyrics of Willie Nelson's song, In God's Eyes, encourage listeners to practice kindness and empathy towards others, regardless of their circumstances or actions. The first two lines of the song advise against thinking negatively about others, as thoughts are just as powerful as spoken words. Nelson suggests that even if one has a negative opinion of someone, it is important to not allow those thoughts to consume their mind because God sees it this way.
The following verse encourages listeners to help strangers in need without expecting anything in return, for eventually, the kindness will be reciprocated ten-fold. The lyrics acknowledge that sometimes people may go astray, but open arms should always be extended in welcome upon their return. The metaphor of sheep in a meadow is used to emphasize that all individuals are part of a larger society and everyone has a role to play in helping and supporting each other.
Overall, Nelson's song promotes the values of forgiveness, kindness, and empathy towards others. It urges listeners to live their lives in a way that is pleasing to God. The lyrics encourage listeners to take a broader perspective of the world and to be compassionate towards others, regardless of their actions or beliefs.
Line by Line Meaning
Never think evil thoughts of anyone
It's not only wrong to say mean things about someone, but it's also wrong to have negative thoughts about them, because even unspoken thoughts can hurt others. God sees this as equally bad.
It's just as wrong to think as to say
Harmful thoughts and words are treated equally by God and should be avoided to prevent causing pain.
For a thought is but a word that's unspoken
A thought is like a silent word that can still have negative effects on others if it's not kind or respectful. It's important to choose our thoughts wisely.
Lend a hand if you can to a stranger
Offer help to those in need, regardless of whether they can repay you or not. This is a selfless act that can have unexpected rewards.
Never worry if he can't repay
Don't concern yourself with whether or not the person can repay the favor. Instead, focus on doing what is right and helping others.
For in time you'll be repaid ten times over
Although helping others shouldn't be done with the expectation of receiving something in return, it's likely that good deeds will lead to blessings in the future.
In God's eyes we're like sheep in a meadow
Human beings are like sheep, who need guidance and direction to stay on the right path. God sees us this way and offers guidance for our journey through life.
Now and then a lamb goes astray
Sometimes, even when we try to do what is right, we make mistakes or lose our way. This is a natural part of the human experience.
But open arms should await its returning
Even when someone has strayed from the right path, we should offer them forgiveness and acceptance when they return seeking guidance and support.
In God's eyes He sees it this way
God's perspective on these matters is one of forgiveness, compassion, and the seeing of the good in all people. This is the example that we should follow in our own lives.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Willie Nelson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
fred michaels
In God's Eyes
Willie Nelson
Never think evil thoughts of anyone
It's just as wrong to think as to say
For a thought is but a word that's unspoken
In God's eyes He sees it this way
Lend a hand if you can to a stranger
Never worry if he can't repay
For in time you'll be repaid ten times over
In God's eyes He sees it this way
In God's eyes we're like sheep in a meadow
Now and then a lamb goes astray
But open arms should await it's return'n
In God's eyes He sees it this way
In God's eyes we're like sheep in a meadow
Now and then a lamb goes astray
But open arms should await it's return'n
In God's eyes He sees it this way
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Nelson
In God's Eyes lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Pondy Hsu
Never think evil thoughts of anyone
It's just as wrong to think as to say
For a thought is but a word that's unspoken
In God's eyes He sees it this way
Lend a hand if you can to a stranger
Never worry if he can't repay
For in time you'll be repaid ten times over
In God's eyes He sees it this way
In God's eyes we're like sheep in a meadow
Now and then a lamb goes astray
But open arms should await it's returning
In God's eyes He sees it this way
***************
In God's eyes we're like sheep in a meadow
Now and then a lamb goes astray
But open arms should await it's returning
In God's eyes He sees it this way.....
Joe Williams
We all can learn from the words of this song. Willie has given us hope in God's mercy & forgiveness. We are called to treat others the way we want to be treated.God will judge our hearts. We must guard our thoughts as well as our words.
Mara Karetsos
Beautiful song!!
Peaceful!!!
Magical Words!!!
🎶🎶🎶🎸🎸🎸🎶🎶🎶⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lianne Schneider
Matt - you just get better and better. This is incredibly beautiful - and my respect for Willie Nelson just went up about 200 notches. Thank you for sharing this amazing work and using your moving photography and art to create this visual reminder. xox
fred michaels
In God's Eyes
Willie Nelson
Never think evil thoughts of anyone
It's just as wrong to think as to say
For a thought is but a word that's unspoken
In God's eyes He sees it this way
Lend a hand if you can to a stranger
Never worry if he can't repay
For in time you'll be repaid ten times over
In God's eyes He sees it this way
In God's eyes we're like sheep in a meadow
Now and then a lamb goes astray
But open arms should await it's return'n
In God's eyes He sees it this way
In God's eyes we're like sheep in a meadow
Now and then a lamb goes astray
But open arms should await it's return'n
In God's eyes He sees it this way
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Nelson
In God's Eyes lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Margaret Gaskell
It is true, those who hurt with words and lies have problems themselves ...🙏🙏
nigerian house plans
Man... The lyrics are deep. Thoughts are unspoken words.
Lena Arruda
Muito lindaaa!
Heidi Rogers
Great song, I love it
Patricia Horelick
I always come back to this one...especially in these days...
X X
Outstanding. Thank you for the reminder.