Here I Am (Come and Take Me) by Al Green Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Layers of Love and Longing
Lyrics
Al Green
(A. Green, T. Hodges)
From the album: “Call Me”
I can’t believe that it’s real,
the way that you make me feel.
A burning deep down inside,
a love that I cannot hide.
Our love is you and me baby,
that makes the world go round.
And if you’ve been doin’ lovin’ with me,
layin’ all my troubles down,
here I am, baby,
come and take me.
Here I am, baby,
come and take me,
take me by the hand.
Show me,
here I am, baby.
It always ends up this way,
me begging you every day.
A love that I cannot have,
you broke my heart into half.
Our love is you and me baby,
that make’s the world go round.
And if you’ve been doin’ lovin’ with me,
layin’ all my troubles down,
here I am, baby,
come and take me,
Here I am, baby,
come and take me,
take me by the hand.
Show me,
here I am, baby.
When I’m down I can always call you,
for a helpin’ hand.
I know you’ll do the best you can.
But it don’t take much from me,
just my cup of joe.
Oh there’s love inside me,
I believe there’s one to be explodin’,
It’s tough for me, oh baby,
I can do worry,
tell me all your troubles.
You won’t ever have to worry now,
Just one more thing, ask everybody,
everybody you see,
you’ll find yourselve lost and alone on a darkened street,
here I am, baby,
come and take me.
Here I am, baby,
come and take me,
take me by the hand.
Show me,
here I am, baby…
Saturated in the sounds of soul and the raw emotion of rhythm and blues, ‘Here I Am (Come and Take Me)’ is not just a song, it’s a confession, a plea, a testament to the tangled sentiments of love and desire. Al Green, with his distinctive silken voice, sends us spiraling down into the depths of a love story that’s as timeless as his melody.
Through his hypnotic refrains and the soul-stirring emotion embedded in every verse, Green captures the essence of what it means to be vulnerable, to be waiting, yearning, and ready for love. As we dissect the lyrics, it becomes evident that this is no mere love song – it’s a narrative that resonates with the quest for connection that lies within us all.
A Soulful Siren’s Call: The Dynamics of Desire
At first glance, the lyrics to ‘Here I Am (Come and Take Me)’ could be mistaken for a simple declaration of love. However, a closer ear reveals a layered tapestry of emotion. ‘A burning deep down inside, a love that I cannot hide,’ these lines aren’t merely poetic. They capture a raw longing, a desire so profound that it scorches through one’s soul, desperate for an outlet, for acknowledgment by the object of affection.
Green sings of a love potent enough to ‘make the world go round.’ It’s a force of nature, a gravitational pull that lives within the breath of the song, inviting listeners to contemplate their own whirlwind romances and the incredible power that love can wield on the soul’s compass.
Beneath the Surface: The Song’s Hidden Meanings
The artistry of Al Green lies in his ability to infuse his lyrics with multiple interpretations. ‘Here I Am (Come and Take Me)’ resonates on multiple wavelengths; it is a cry for love, certainly, but it also serves as a metaphor for the human condition. The repeated refrain, ‘Here I am, baby, come and take me,’ is an acknowledgment of the fragility and readiness to be ‘taken’ – by love, by life, by new experiences.
This vulnerability is accentuated by the confession of being left ‘lost and alone on a darkened street,’ a powerful image illustrating the loneliness that accompanies the search for genuine connection. The song’s enduring appeal lies in this universality – the understanding that everyone, at one point or another, has stood on that metaphorical darkened street, waiting for their call to be answered.
The Heartache Behind the Harmony
Amidst the lush instrumentals and Green’s velvet vocals, ‘Here I Am (Come and Take Me)’ carries an undercurrent of pain; the pleading quality does not dodge sadness but embraces it. ‘Me begging you every day’ isn’t just a line; it’s an admission of the lengths one will go for love, the humiliating consequences of unrequited feelings, of love that is felt deeply but not reciprocated.
The heartbreak inherent in the lyrics lends an authenticity to the track, ensuring that it’s not just another love song. It garners empathy, entwining the listener’s own experiences with the reflections of love offered within the verses, creating a bond that lasts well beyond the song’s final notes.
Standout Lines that Echo in the Heart
‘When I’m down I can always call you, for a helping hand.’ This particular line stands out as an anchor within the song, representing the humble admission that even the strong require support. Green’s intonation here shifts, it becomes softer, almost prayer-like, highlighting the essential human need for compassion and companionship.
The line is a poignant reminder of the interdependent nature of love and life. It succinctly captures the beauty of a bond that, though perhaps fraught with complications, remains a source of strength and solace in times of need.
The Unalterable Truths of Al Green’s Ballad
‘Here I Am (Come and Take Me)’ transcends the parameters of romantic longing and touches on the philosophical. Al Green, with the honest power of his delivery, guides us to explore the reality that there are pieces of us that yearn to be understood and taken for what they truly are.
The song becomes a mirror, a reflection of the human condition and the universal desire to be seen, to be known, to love and be loved in return. Green’s declarative ‘Here I am’ is much more than an invitation; it’s an affirmation of existence, an assertion of presence in the face of life’s vast uncertainties.
