"Spirit in the Sky" from Spirit in the Sky, 1969,

Composed and performed by Norman Greenbaum.

Spirit

Angel Gabriel

Frightened Nazareth's Mary

Annunciation

Dove symbolizes

O Magnum Mysterium

Immaculata

We see not your face

You are neither girl nor boy

Ethereal joy

---Lisa Cole-Allen.

"I'm just some Jewish musician who really dug Gospel music. I decided there

was a larger Jesus Gospel market out there than a Jehovah one...It appeals

to one's inner self and the need for redemption, plus, heck, who wants to go

to Hell? "—Norman Greenbaum.

"Spirit in the Sky," a compelling combination of psychedelic and Gospel rock

music, was a one hit wonder for Norman Greenbaum, earning worldwide

acclaim. The award winning song was featured in several movies and was

covered by other artists. Greenbaum feels that his "simple song" sounds as

fresh today as when it was recorded, with its loud drums, distorted electric

guitar, clapping hands, tambourines and back-up vocals by the Gospel trio,

the Stovall Sisters.

Greenbaum said that he put the lyrics together "in fifteen minutes." As we

listen to this ageless song and review the words of this musician who was raised

in an Orthodox Jewish home, attended Hebrew school and remains an observant

Jew, we can only wonder how such criticism could befall this joyous song that

became the second-most-requested song played at memorial services, next to

"Danny Boy."

"Spirit in the Sky"

"When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best
When I lay me down to die
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky
That's where I'm gonna go when I die
When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best"

The lyrics of the first verse need no explanation. To this day, when I hear these

words what strikes me is both the faith and the joy of the speaker that in death

he will "go to the place that's the best."

"Prepare yourself you know it's a must
Gotta have a friend in Jesus
So you know that when you die
He's gonna recommend you
To the spirit in the sky
Gonna recommend you
To the spirit in the sky
That's where you're gonna go when you die
When you die and they lay you to rest
You're gonna go to the place that's the best"

The speaker now advises the listener to "prepare yourself," for "it's a must" to

"have a friend in Jesus." The concept of Jesus Christ as a friend is, of course,

documented in the Bible, but perhaps Greenbaum's influence arose from a

passage heard on the Doobie Brothers 1966 hit, "Jesus is Just Alright," the song's

soulful bridge, "Jesus is my friend." If we befriend Jesus, "he's gonna recommend

[us] to the spirit in the sky." Being "recommend[ed]"is a delightful way of

expressing one's salvation, as if our buddy, Jesus will put in a good word for us to

"the spirit" for our admission through the Pearly Gates.

Never been a sinner I never sinned
I got a friend in Jesus
So you know that when I die
He's gonna set me up with
The spirit in the sky
Oh set me up with the spirit in the sky
That's where I'm gonna go when I die
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best
Go to the place that's the best

Ah! We now come to the final verse of "Spirit in the Sky." The lines, "never

been a sinner; I never sinned. I got a friend in Jesus" created a furor, mainly

from Christians. Rabid at Greenbaum's arrogance in stating he's never

sinned, critics cited numerous quotations from the Scriptures to support

their points. I feel that the poet was merely saying that he's a good person,

lives a Godly life. The song's lyrics in general were viewed as mocking; even

Greenbaum's singing voice was referred to as sarcastic. The simplicity of "set

me up with the spirit in the sky," I hear as contemporary phrasing for having

lived a good life and feeling deserving of going to heaven.

When asked about the objections of listeners to his lyrics, Greenbaum has

humbly admitted that he "didn't know any better." But who exactly does

know better? As mortal humans we can only form an opinion, a theory of

what God is. All the theological nit-picking has tainted this happy, uplifting

song, a song of hope for salvation that reminds me of New Orleans funerals

that are a celebration of the deceased's life and death with music, hand

clapping, foot tapping and smiles.

Norman Greenbaum, one day, your rockin' song will be played for me as I go to

God. I want everyone to put their hands together, tap their feet and smile

for your wonderful song and for my new life "in the place that's the best."