SIMPLE MAN. Song Facts “Simple Man” is the fourth track on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Debut Album released on August 13 th 1973. Song was written by the lead

SIMPLE MANSIMPLE MAN

Song FactsSong Facts

““Simple Man” is the fourth track on Lynyrd Simple Man” is the fourth track on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Debut Album released on August Skynyrd’s Debut Album released on August 1313thth 1973. 1973.Song was written by the lead singer at time, Song was written by the lead singer at time, the late Ron Van Zant, and lead guitarist Gary the late Ron Van Zant, and lead guitarist Gary Rossington.Rossington.Zant lost a mother during the time of the Zant lost a mother during the time of the debut album’s recording and Rossington lost a debut album’s recording and Rossington lost a grandmother as a boy and together they grandmother as a boy and together they wrote the song in their memory, using their wrote the song in their memory, using their mothers’ combined wisdom for the context of mothers’ combined wisdom for the context of the song.the song.

Verse 1Verse 1

““Mama told me, when I was youngMama told me, when I was young

Come sit beside me, my only sonCome sit beside me, my only son

And listen closely, to what I sayAnd listen closely, to what I say

And if you do this, it’ll help you some And if you do this, it’ll help you some sunny daysunny day

Proverbs 22:6Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go, And even Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it. (NASB) when he is old he will not depart from it. (NASB)

Barnes’s Notes on Proverbs 22:6Barnes’s Notes on Proverbs 22:6

TrainTrain - - Initiate, and so, educate.Initiate, and so, educate.

The way he should goThe way he should go – – Or, according to the tenor of his Or, according to the tenor of his way, i. e., the path especially belonging to, especially way, i. e., the path especially belonging to, especially fitted for, the individual's character. The proverb fitted for, the individual's character. The proverb enjoins the closest possible study of each child's enjoins the closest possible study of each child's temperament and the adaptation of "his way of life" temperament and the adaptation of "his way of life" to that.to that.

(Mama told me, when I was young(Mama told me, when I was youngCome sit beside me, my only sonCome sit beside me, my only sonAnd listen closely, to what I say)And listen closely, to what I say)


Whoever fears (reveres) the Lord has a secure Whoever fears (reveres) the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refugefortress, and for their children it will be a refuge

(NIV) (NIV)

Ephesians 6:4Ephesians 6:4

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (NASB)the Lord. (NASB)

Verse 2Verse 2

Oh, take your time, don’t live too fastOh, take your time, don’t live too fast

Troubles will come, and they will passTroubles will come, and they will pass

Go find a woman, you’ll find loveGo find a woman, you’ll find love

And don’t forget son, there is Someone And don’t forget son, there is Someone up aboveup above

(Oh, Take Your Time, Don’t Live Too Fast)(Oh, Take Your Time, Don’t Live Too Fast)


Don't brashly announce what you're going to do Don't brashly announce what you're going to do tomorrow; you don't know the first thing tomorrow; you don't know the first thing about tomorrow. (Message)about tomorrow. (Message)

Matthew 6:34 Matthew 6:34

““So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (NASB)trouble of its own. (NASB)

(Troubles Will Come, And They Will Pass)(Troubles Will Come, And They Will Pass)

Proverbs 11:8 Proverbs 11:8

The righteous is delivered out of The righteous is delivered out of troubletrouble, and the , and the wicked wicked cometh in his steadcometh in his stead. (KJV). (KJV)

Greek Breakdown:Greek Breakdown:

TheraThera [Noun Feminine] (Thera – Thay’ Rah) [Noun Feminine] (Thera – Thay’ Rah)

A hunting of wild beasts to destroy them. A hunting of wild beasts to destroy them. Metaphor: Preparing destruction for men. Metaphor: Preparing destruction for men.

KJV/NASB Septuagint Translation - Trap KJV/NASB Septuagint Translation - Trap


Proverbs 11:8 Proverbs 11:8

The righteous is delivered out of The righteous is delivered out of troubletrouble, and , and the the wicked cometh in his steadwicked cometh in his stead. (KJV). (KJV)

Hebrew Breakdown:Hebrew Breakdown:

Tsarah [Noun Feminine] (Tsaw-raw’) – Straits, Tsarah [Noun Feminine] (Tsaw-raw’) – Straits, distress, trouble, vexer, rival wifedistress, trouble, vexer, rival wife


Adam Clarke - Biblical TheologianAdam Clarke - Biblical Theologian


“ “The wicked cometh in his steadThe wicked cometh in his stead – – Often God Often God makes this distinction; in public calamities and in makes this distinction; in public calamities and in sudden accidents he rescues the righteous, and sudden accidents he rescues the righteous, and leaves the wicked, who has filled up the measure of leaves the wicked, who has filled up the measure of his iniquities, to be seized by the hand of death. his iniquities, to be seized by the hand of death. Justice, then, does its own work; for mercy has been , then, does its own work; for mercy has been rejected.”rejected.”

Short Summary: Sin On To DeathShort Summary: Sin On To Death

http://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/audio.details/ID/186/Examples-Divine-Justice.htm



There shall no evil happen to the just: but the There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. (KJV)wicked shall be filled with mischief. (KJV)

Hebrew BreakdownHebrew Breakdown

Aven [Noun Masculine] (Aw-ven’) – Trouble, Aven [Noun Masculine] (Aw-ven’) – Trouble, sorrow, wickedness, idolatry.sorrow, wickedness, idolatry.

Troubles Will Come, And They Will Pass)Troubles Will Come, And They Will Pass)

Adam Clarke - Biblical TheologianAdam Clarke - Biblical Theologian


““There shall no evil happen to the just - No, for There shall no evil happen to the just - No, for all things work together for good to them that all things work together for good to them that love God. Whatever occurs to a righteous love God. Whatever occurs to a righteous man God turns to his advantage. But, on the man God turns to his advantage. But, on the other hand, the wicked are filled with other hand, the wicked are filled with mischief: they are hurt, grieved, and mischief: they are hurt, grieved, and wounded, by every occurrence; and nothing wounded, by every occurrence; and nothing turns to their profit.” turns to their profit.”

(Go Find A Woman, You’ll Find Love)(Go Find A Woman, You’ll Find Love)


A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman—A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman—who is he who can find her? She is far more who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls. (Amplified) above rubies or pearls. (Amplified)


He who finds a [true] wife finds a good thing He who finds a [true] wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. (Amplified)and obtains favor from the Lord. (Amplified)

(And don’t forget son, there is (And don’t forget son, there is Someone up above)Someone up above)

Job 8:9-13Job 8:9-13

For we were born but yesterday and know nothing. For we were born but yesterday and know nothing. Our days on earth are as fleeting as a shadow. Our days on earth are as fleeting as a shadow. But those who came before us will teach you.But those who came before us will teach you.They will teach you the wisdom of old.They will teach you the wisdom of old.

Can papyrus reeds grow tall without a marsh? Can Can papyrus reeds grow tall without a marsh? Can marsh grass flourish without water? While they marsh grass flourish without water? While they are still flowering, not ready to be cut, they begin are still flowering, not ready to be cut, they begin to wither more quickly than grass. The same to wither more quickly than grass. The same happens to all who forget God. The hopes of the happens to all who forget God. The hopes of the godless evaporate. (NLV)godless evaporate. (NLV)

(And don’t forget son, there is (And don’t forget son, there is Someone up above)Someone up above)

Matthew 16:24-26Matthew 16:24-26

Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? (Message)could you ever trade your soul for? (Message)

ChorusChorus

And be a simple kind of manAnd be a simple kind of man

Be something you love and understandBe something you love and understand

Baby be a simple kind of manBaby be a simple kind of man

Oh, won’t you do this for me son if you Oh, won’t you do this for me son if you can?can?

(And be a simple kind of man(And be a simple kind of manBe something you love and understand)Be something you love and understand)


He who gains Wisdom loves his own life; he He who gains Wisdom loves his own life; he who keeps understanding shall prosper who keeps understanding shall prosper andand find good. (Amplified) find good. (Amplified)

Psalm 19:7Psalm 19:7

The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. (NASB)making wise the simple. (NASB)

Verse 3Verse 3

Forget your lust for the rich man’s goldForget your lust for the rich man’s gold

All that you need is in your soulAll that you need is in your soul

And you can do this, oh baby, if you tryAnd you can do this, oh baby, if you try

All that I want for you my son, is to be All that I want for you my son, is to be satisfiedsatisfied

(Forget your lust for the rich man’s gold)(Forget your lust for the rich man’s gold)


How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!And to get understanding is to be chosen above And to get understanding is to be chosen above

silver.silver.


Sheol (Hell) and Abaddon (Destuction) are Sheol (Hell) and Abaddon (Destuction) are never satisfied, Nor are the (lustful) eyes of never satisfied, Nor are the (lustful) eyes of man ever satisfied.man ever satisfied.

(All that you need is in your soul)(All that you need is in your soul)


Know that wisdom is thus for your soul;Know that wisdom is thus for your soul;If you find it, then there will be a future,If you find it, then there will be a future,And your hope will not be cut off. (NASB)And your hope will not be cut off. (NASB)

Matthew 11:29Matthew 11:29

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (NASB)for your souls. (NASB)

(And you can do this, oh baby, if you try)(And you can do this, oh baby, if you try)


Trust in the Lord with all your heartTrust in the Lord with all your heart

And do not lean on your own And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.your paths straight.

(All that I want for you my son, is to be (All that I want for you my son, is to be satisfied)satisfied)


A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words, And the deeds of a man’s hands will return words, And the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him.to him.


The fear of the Lord leads to life,The fear of the Lord leads to life,So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.

Verse 4Verse 4

Boy, don’t you worry, you’ll find yourself Boy, don’t you worry, you’ll find yourself

Follow your heart, and nothing else Follow your heart, and nothing else

And you can do this, oh baby, if you try And you can do this, oh baby, if you try

All that I want for you my son, is to be All that I want for you my son, is to be satisfied satisfied

(Boy, don’t you worry, you’ll find yourself)(Boy, don’t you worry, you’ll find yourself)

Ecclesiastes 3:11Ecclesiastes 3:11He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also

has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds [a has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the out what God has done from the beginning to the end. (Amplified)end. (Amplified)

Proverbs 21:21Proverbs 21:21He who earnestly seeks after He who earnestly seeks after andand craves craves

righteousness, mercy, righteousness, mercy, andand loving-kindness will find loving-kindness will find life in addition to righteousness (uprightness and life in addition to righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) and honor. (Amplified)right standing with God) and honor. (Amplified)

(Follow your heart, and nothing else)(Follow your heart, and nothing else)

Proverbs 3:1-3Proverbs 3:1-3

My son, do not forget my teaching, But let My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; For your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of life And peace length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. (NASB)your heart. (NASB)

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SIMPLE MAN. Song Facts “Simple Man” is the fourth track on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Debut Album released on August 13 th 1973. Song was written by the lead