Lay Down Lyrics
Melanie & The Edwin Hawkins Singers
Lyrics
Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)
Melanie with The Edwin Hawkins Singers
Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile
At the ones who stand and frown
Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile
At the ones who stand and frown
We were so close there was no room
We bled inside each other's wounds
We all had caught the same disease
And we all sang the songs of peace
Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile
At the ones who stand and frown
Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile
At the ones who stand and frown
So raise candles high 'cause if you don't
We could stay black against the night
Oh raise them higher again
And if you do we could stay dry against the rain
Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile
At the ones who stand and frown
Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile
At the ones who stand and frown
We were so close there was no room
We bled inside each other's wounds
We all had caught the same disease
And we all sang the songs of peace
Some came to sing, some came to pray
Some came to keep the dark away
So raise candles high 'cause if you don't
We could stay black against the sky
Oh oh raise them higher again
And if you do we could stay dry against the rain
Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile
At the ones who stand and frown
Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile
At the ones who stand and frown
Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile
At the ones who stand and frown
Lay down lay down lay it all down
Let your white birds smile
At the ones who stand and frown.
Song & Lyrics Facts
Melanie & The Edwin Hawkins Singers released the song "Lay Down" in 1972 as part of their album, Let Us Go Into The House Of The Lord. The gospel-soul genre single was written by Edwin Hawkins and produced by Jerry Wexler.
The group is comprised of Melanie (vocals), Edwin Hawkins (vocals, piano), Dorothy Combs Morrison (vocals), Tramaine Hawkins (vocals), Wanda Vaughn (vocals) and Walter Hawkins (vocals). The lyrics of the song are a plea to God for help and understanding, with lines such as “I’ve been trying so hard/To make it on my own/But I can’t do it no more/Lord lay down your heavy load.” It has since become an anthem of hope and faith among many Christian churches around the world.