When I Lay Down

Words and Music by Skip Ewing/Janis Ian

They said – Lay lay down in the water,
even though you don’t believe
All your sins will be forgiven,
and your soul will be redeemed
So I walked into the water,
and I fell down to my knees,
and I took out some insurance,
and I bought a little peace
But when I lay down,
I lied
When I lay down,
I lied

He said – Darling do you love me?
and I said – Sure I do
and I led him to believe me
as I proved that it was true
Well, I let my body love him
God knows I really tried
and the comfort of it touched him
and his heart was satisfied

But when I lay down,
I lied
When I lay down,
I lied

to make them happy
and I lied so they would care
I lied ’cause i was lonely
and I lied ’cause i was scared
I lied so some would leave me
and I lied so some would stay
I lied until I lied my life away

I dreamed my life was over
and they laid me in my grave
I was frightened of forever
and the price I’d have to pay
And I thought that God would hate me
’cause I’d lived my life in sin,
but I felt the truth embrace me
as heaven let me in

And when I lay down
I lay down
and cried

© Rude Girl Pub. (50%)/Write! Music.
All rights reserved; international copyright secured.

Appears on the following albums:

  • Billie's Bones