Lyrics
Now and then an old friend of mine,
Reflecting on occasional visits from an old friend.
I've not seen for some time,
Not having seen the friend for a while.
Will stop by and ask me
Friend inquires about the speaker's whereabouts and thoughts.
where I been, What's on my mind.
Questions about the speaker's current state of mind.
They wonder why I'm not drinkin',
Friends are curious about the speaker's sobriety.
And still painting this old town red.
Despite sobriety, the speaker is still enjoying life.
I tell them I'm serving Jesus now,
Shares that the speaker is now dedicated to serving Jesus.
And the old man is dead
Emphasizes a spiritual transformation, leaving the old ways behind.
CHORUS
Reiteration of the theme in a chorus.
And the man you see before you,
Acknowledges that the speaker may appear unchanged externally.
May look a lot the same,
Despite external similarities, there's an internal transformation.
I may wear the same clothes,
References retaining the same external appearance.
And have the same old name.
Keeping the original name despite inner changes.
But you're looking' on the outside,
Highlighting the focus on external appearances.
If you could see inside instead,
Suggests looking beyond the surface for understanding.
You would see a brand new man,
Describes a profound inner change, becoming a new person.
Cause the old man is dead.
Reiterates the death of the old self.
I used to live such a wicked life,
Recalling a past characterized by a sinful lifestyle.
I had no peace inside.
Expressing a lack of inner peace during that period.
I was lost in darkness,
Describing a state of spiritual darkness and confusion.
Searching for the light.
Conveying a search for spiritual enlightenment.
Then one night in a little church,
Narrating a pivotal moment in a small church.
After hearin' what the preacher said,
Referring to the impact of a preacher's words during that night.
I gave my life to Jesus,
Announcing the decision to commit to Jesus.
And the old man is dead.
Declaring the symbolic death of the old self.
CHORUS
Repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the central theme.
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