The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Jesus, don't want me for a sunbeam
Sunbeams are never made like me
Don't expect me to cry
For all the reasons you had to die
Don't ever ask your love of me
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for thee
Jesus, don't want me for a sunbeam
Sunbeams are never made like me
Don't expect me to cry
For all the reasons you had to die
Don't ever ask your love of me
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for thee
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for thee
Jesus, don't want me for a sunbeam
Sunbeams are never made like me
Don't expect me to cry
For all the reasons you had to die
Don't ever ask your love of me
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for me
Sunbeams are never made like me
Don't expect me to cry
For all the reasons you had to die
Don't ever ask your love of me
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for thee
Jesus, don't want me for a sunbeam
Sunbeams are never made like me
Don't expect me to cry
For all the reasons you had to die
Don't ever ask your love of me
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for thee
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for thee
Jesus, don't want me for a sunbeam
Sunbeams are never made like me
Don't expect me to cry
For all the reasons you had to die
Don't ever ask your love of me
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die
Don't expect me to cry
Don't expect me to lie
Don't expect me to die for me
Lyrics submitted by bonj, edited by Mellow_Harsher, boomgorilla
Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam Lyrics as written by Eugene Kelly Frances Mckee
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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The original of this song is by the Vaselines. The Vaselines did it basically as a way of criticizing religion. The old Christian hymn you all are speaking of is "Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam." I don't remember the words to the hymn, as I only saw that song once, but in my opinion, the lyrics to "Jesus Don't Want Me For A Sunbeam" are basically the artist's way of saying "I made mistakes, I learned from them, so don't expect me to feel guilty and don't expect me to pretend to be perfect when we all know I'm not," and also, "don't expect me to sacrifice my happy life for your miserable hypocritical belief system."
Generally, I never reply, but this is my second on this song.<br /> <br /> Sadly, I agree with you here. "Don't expect me to cry for the reasons you had to die." That one line is loaded with ire, overtone and undertone. Rejecting the idea of my own sin, the notion that it required a sacrifice, that God would make that sacrifice, one that only He could make, and out of love rather than vengeful wrath.<br /> <br /> One thing we often forget, so many many Christians suffer like Kurt Cobain, to the point of committing suicide themselves. It is indeed hypocritical to pretend otherwise, as that means Christians are denying the very same sin and sacrifice this song criticizes.<br /> <br /> -Pie
@seacreature25 <br /> The problem here is that Christians need to know they aren't perfect. They need to live the rest of their lives learning how to act perfect for the rest of their lives instead of trying hard to make sure the past mistakes don't count. An argument athiests make is tht "no mane's perfect." But that's what a Christian needs to know in order to grow.
@seacreature25 well said. The old hymn “Jesus wants me for a sunbeam” is a children’s song to make children know they are loved. “Jesus wants me for a sunbeam,<br /> To shine for him each day;<br /> In ev'ry way try to please him,<br /> At home, at school, at play.”. <br /> The lyrics by the Vaseline’s are very GenX. Someone who feels bitter and rejected
Kurt is guilt stricken and is pretty much rejecting Jesus for all the wrong in his life. "Don't expect me to cry, For all the reasons you had to die. Don't ever ask your love of me." He is talking about Jesus' crusifiction and how he won't cry for the reasons HE had to die. Kurt, like many others, was not shown the true reason Jesus died for us. Its easier to blame God for all the pain in the world, than to except his way of life. I know, I know, you're sitting there and saying "if God is so great, why is everything in the world so wrong?" The fact is, that Jesus loves you and me. God made you, made me. He did not "program us to be godly". God gave us a free will. God doesn't owe us anything, we owe him our lives. That's where people go wrong, blaming God and saying He "owes us". Have you ever heard the true word of Jesus Christ? Check out this web-site for more info on this, by far this is the most straight up website that doesn't pull any punches or sugar coats anything. No lie. The most intense experience of you life, just give it a chance and don't go in there with your guard up.
But at one point he was a born again Christian. He left the religion as a teen when he went to a youth group meeting and hated it. He was after the truth, and he didn't find it there.
There's always idiots who think there's a deep religious meaning in artists songs. Kurt sang that song that night because the Vaseline's version was good and would sound even better acoustically. Kurt clearly says in "About a Son" (that's a movie you haven't watched and should have before posting here) that he has no answer as to what his lyrics mean. He says that they are pieces of poetry put together because they sound good. So Don't go looking for religion in his lyrics or the Vaseline's. Don't go looking for religion in any true artist's lyrics because it won't be there. That's the lowest any person can go, to pawn off religion as art. Religion is opposite of art. It's contrived, pretentious idiocy. Just like your comments!
what a nob u are all great lyric writers say their songs are just a load of words , ask bob dylan what any of his songs mean and he will claim he doesnt know . course he was influenced by religion , he was taught it in his youth , im goin on the meaning of the lyrics and not kurts ,, cause kurt didnt write it he just used mtv to plug a band he liked by playing their song , <br /> from the lyrics i reckon its a song about a dude that wants to take his chances without jesus , jesus i sinned and you dont like it so dont expect me to worry bout you cause i aint changin
Although this isn't Kurt's song, I can't agree more with "God gave us free will." Most people seem to think God's a puppeteer that controls when we itch.
criticlathinking says, "That's the lowest any person can go, to pawn off religion as art. Religion is opposite of art."<br /> <br /> Indeed? Michelangelo, with a chapel ceiling, and Da Vinci with a Last Supper, Durer placing himself in his own face of Christ (comedy is art too), Bach, Vivaldi (The Red Priest), Handel, Haydn (taught Mozart & Beethoven), oh .... Mozart, and what's that other guy's 9th Symphony I hear so much about? The one where we hear the words "Fur Gott" repeated in an Ode to Joy.<br /> <br /> Critical Thinking is truly an honorable pursuit, and I do mean that, but it requires a lot more thinking than criticism. One is too much easier than the other.
@Jlmmy_Hoffa I agree with what you said. <br /> "Kurt is guilt stricken and is pretty much rejecting Jesus for all the wrong in his life. "Don't expect me to cry, For all the reasons you had to die. Don't ever ask your love of me." He is talking about Jesus' crucifixion and how he won't cry for the reasons HE had to die." <br /> It helped me understand the meaning of the song. So thank you for your imput on the song's meaning! :)
@Jlmmy_Hoffa <br /> That's where people always get mixed up. They don't realize that God gave us a will. Heck, God didn't create a devil. The devil made itself.
The meaning "I" find is..
One who was brought up with religeon, goes down a path in life in which is "sinfull" then fearing his destiny of where he will go when he dies, he Rejects his faith, in other words, telling jesus to go get out of his life, because he feels guilty of his wrong doings .
it was done by the Vaseline's first
Really? because we can't hear him saying that in the unplugged recording...
Yeah, it's by the Vaselines, but the original title was "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam". Or at least that's the way it's listed on The Way Of The Vaselines.
@surfwaxafghani He says "This was written by the Vaselines. Well... It's a rendition of an old christian song I think. But we do it the Vaselines way" right before singing it! Why post anything if you haven't listened to the song properly?
yeah... " this was written by the vaselines...this is an old christian song,but...we do it the vaseline's way"
First of all, why are people saying that nirvana played this song for guilt? This song is a great poem which any athiest like myself can enjoy while I think all my secular thoughts... -_- you can listen to this song for anything or anyone keeping you down, its easy to relate to just like "sappy". Remember, "jesus" doesnt have to come gor us to treat our human brothers with respect and honesty. If you disagree... GOOD! We all have a chioce to think differently. PEACE!!!
I think you must consider the lyrics within the context of the hymn which inspired The Vaselines to write this.
I'll be a Sunbeam lyrics;
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam, To shine for Him each day; In every way try to please Him, At home, at school, at play. Refrain: A sunbeam, a sunbeam, Jesus wants me for a sunbeam; A sunbeam, a sunbeam, I’ll be a sunbeam for Him. Jesus wants me to be loving, And kind to all I see; Showing how pleasant and happy, His little one can be. I will ask Jesus to help me To keep my heart from sin; Ever reflecting His goodness, And always shine for Him. I’ll be a sunbeam for Jesus, I can if I but try; Serving Him moment by moment, Then live for Him on high.
I sung Hymn # 137 with the lyrics as written by Nellie Talbot as a child. I was 30 years of age when Eugene Kelly and Francis McKee unleashed this version. 30 more spins around the sun and it remains relevant.
Jesus doesn't want me for a sunbeam. You are excluded.
Sunbeams were never made like me states that you are different.
Don't expect me to cry, For all the reasons you had to die.
Religious belief has it's expectations. This rejects the premise of the hymn which becomes a statement of promise to be a good little Christian.
Don't ever ask your love of me is a reaction to the rejection of the first line. To belong requires you to conform and you have drawn your line in the sand.
Don't expect me to cry Don't expect me to lie
More expectations. More rejection of the constraints of religion.
Don't expect me to die for me
The final line is quite intricate. Clearly a comment on the Christian belief that Jesus died for our sins, it would indicate that Jesus becomes part of our person. Logically, a part of you must die for your own benefit. It becomes a rejection of suicide.
Kurt Cobain was a fan of The Vaselines and it was a mark of respect when he performed this song on MTV Unplugged in 1993. His suicide a few short months later becomes quite ironic with respect to that final line. No doubt, he was a spiritual person although he was in conflict with conventional religion. The MTV performance was not his last. That came in Munich on March 1, 1994. Nearly 25 years have passed and we still have not come to terms with the message he carried. The meaning of this song becomes personal. The lyrics haunt me as they should. I am not nearly as familiar with The Vaselines as I am with Nirvana, perhaps that is my own fault. They still become part of the evolving story of this song which reaches back to Nellie Talbot and becomes part of the fabric of my own beliefs.
kurt didn't change it
Yeah, he's right. Why is it even here.
Its a cover he did from The Vaselines's song. The band members The Vaselines were friends of his.