Prayer For The Dying
by Seal

Album: Seal (1994)
Charted: 14 21
Play Video
  • Da da, da da, ah, ho-oo-oh-oo

    Fearless people careless needle
    Harsh words spoken and lives are broken
    Forceful aging help me I'm fading
    Heaven's waiting it's time to move on

    Crossing that bridge with lessons I've learned
    Playing with fire and not getting burned
    I may not know what you're going through
    But time is the space between me and you
    Life carries on, ooh
    It goes on

    Just say die and that would be pessimistic
    In your mind we can walk across the water
    Please don't cry it's just a prayer for the dying
    I just don't know what's got into me

    Been crossing that bridge with lessons I've learned (learned)
    Playing with fire and not getting burned (burned)
    I may not know what you're going through
    But time is the space between me and you
    There is a light through that window
    Hold on say yes while people say no
    Life carries on, on, on, on, ooh
    It goes on, oh-ee-oh, whoa-ee-oh, ho, oh

    I'm crossing that bridge with lessons (I've learned)
    I'm playing with fire and not getting burned (burned)
    I may not know what you're going through
    But time is the space between me and you
    There is a light through that window
    Hold on say yes while people say no

    'Cause life carries on oh-ee-oh, whoa-ee-oh ho on
    It goes on, oh-ee-on, it goes on
    Whoah, whoah, life carries on
    When nothing else matters
    When nothing else matters
    I just don't know what's got into me
    It's just a prayer for the dying
    For the dying Writer/s: Augustus Isidore, Henry Olusegun Adeola Samuel
    Publisher: Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 6

  • Silvio Lopes from São Paulo, BrazilThis was a kind of song I used to listen before facing a new challenge to remember how fragile is life and why we need to enjoy every single day.
  • Mike from Wellington, NzI’ve listened to “Prayer for the Dying” over and over. It has to be one of the most alluring and beautiful songs ever! Seal has has been one of my favourites in these confused Covid times as I hark back to the past.
  • Heather from Rochester, Ny"...'careless needle' implies he's talking about drug use". Ok, sure, it could be. But I always thought it was about the medications they give you in the hospital, blood tests, etc when you're sick, dying or close to it.
  • Kim from MantecaSeal has an appropriately mysteriously personal view of dealing with dying. I don't get the lyrics clearly, but I think that is what makes the song so genuine and relatable. Hearing it during Covid just gets to me.
  • Landon from Winchester, Oh"Time is the space - Between me and you". Such an awesome song. It gives me chills no matter how often I listen.
  • Mike from Santa Barbara, CaThis is Seal's most beautiful, touching song, and he's done a number of excellent songs.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.

American Hits With Foreign Titles

American Hits With Foreign TitlesSong Writing

What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.