When Love Comes To Town
by U2

Album: Rattle And Hum (1988)
Charted: 6 68
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  • I was a sailor, I was lost at sea
    I was under the waves
    Before love rescued me
    I was a fighter, I could turn on a thread
    Now I stand accused of the things I've said

    Love comes to town I'm gonna jump that train
    When love comes to town I'm gonna catch that flame
    Maybe I was wrong to ever let you down
    But I did what I did before love came to town

    I used to make love under a red sunset
    I was making promises I was soon to forget
    She was pale as the lace of her wedding gown
    But I left her standing before love came to town

    I ran into a juke joint when I heard a guitar scream
    The notes were turning blue, I was dazing in a dream
    As the music played I saw my life turn around
    That was the day before love came to town

    When love comes to town I'm gonna jump that train
    When love comes to town I'm gonna catch that flame
    Maybe I was wrong to ever let you down
    But I did what I did before love came to town

    When love comes to town I'm gonna jump that train
    When love comes to town I'm gonna catch that flame
    Maybe I was wrong to ever let you down
    But I did what I did before love came to town

    I was there when they crucified my Lord
    I held the scabbard when the soldier drew his sword
    I threw the dice when they pierced his side
    But I've seen love conquer the great divide

    When love comes to town I'm gonna catch that train
    When love comes to town I'm gonna catch that flame
    Maybe I was wrong to ever let you down
    But I did what I did before love came to town Writer/s: Adam Clayton, Dave Evans, Larry Mullen, Paul Hewson
    Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 6

  • Shehryar from Islamabad, Pakistanfisrt things first, RnH is a great album. secondly, when BB says he's no good with chords, Bono's reply... is even more interesting... 'i'm sure edge will take care of the chords, there's only two of them!' referring to the two chords used in the song, E and A
  • Roger from Los Angeles, CaThe best song on U2's worst album. This song is actually the one redeeming quality of Rattle and Hum and that is only because BB King stole the show with this song.
  • Joost from UtrechtActually, BB says "I'm horrible with chords".
  • Dillie from Atlanta, GaThis song didn't mean anything to me before Christ. I finally got it.

    Lyrics for: When Love Comes To Town

    Lyrics Meaning

    Verse 1
    I was a sailor, I was lost at sea Lost soul, didn't have Christ
    I was under the waves before Love rescued me Drowning in sin, he was saved by Christ
    I was a fighter, I could turn on a thread B. C. carnal, controlled by the flesh, emotions, angry
    But I stand accused of the things I've said Dead in sin; accused by the Law

    Refrain
    When Love comes to town He is going to run to Jesus when He comes
    I want to jump that train Ditto
    When Love comes to town Ditto
    I want to catch that flame Ditto
    Maybe I was wrong to ever let you down Hurt others
    But I did what I did before Love came to town His life B. C.

    Verse 2
    I used to make love under a red sunset Fornicator
    I was making promises I was soon to forget Liar
    She was pale as the lace of her wedding gown Womanizer
    But I left her standing before Love came to town Centered on Self B. C.

    Verse 3
    I ran into a juke joint where I heard a guitar scream
    Searching, worshiping idols along the way
    The notes were turning blue Seeking
    When I fell into a dream Truth starts to come
    As the music played I saw my life turn around He finally gets Truth
    That was the day before Love came to town He accepts Christ and is a new creature

    Refrain
    When Love comes to town
    I want to jump that train
    When Love comes to town
    I want to catch that flame
    Maybe I was wrong to ever let you down
    But I did what I did before Love came to town

    Verse 4
    I was there when they crucified my Lord
    We all crucified Him with our collective sin
    I held the scabbard when the soldier drew his sword Ditto
    I threw the dice when they pierced His side Roman Soldiers cast lots for His clothes
    But I've seen Love conquer the great divide The gulf between God & man'Christ is our bridge

    Refrain
    When Love comes to town
    I want to jump that train
    When Love comes to town
    I want to catch that flame
    Maybe I was wrong to ever let you down
    But I did what I did before Love came to town

  • Shell from Riverdale, GaHmmm, I remember the line as "I'm terrible with chords." Guess it's time to watch it again.
  • Paul from Greenwood, ScFor you musicians...an interesting note. On the Rattle and Hum DVD, as the band and King are discussing playing the song, B.B. tells Bono that "he doesn't play chords". This guitar legend is worried about playing chords, which Bono assures him won't be a problem. B.B. does a masterful job in the live show playing his signature fills and riffs, but NO chords.
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