When I Lay Down - Janis Ian

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