Lyrics When I Lay Down - Janis Ian

When I Lay Down

They said 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
I 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) (he knelt down to embrace me)
(As heaven let me in) (And together, we walked in)
And when I lay down
I lay down and cried