Al Green - You Don't Know Me Lyrics
Lyrics
You don't know me
You don't understand
You don't know me
Just what kind of man
If you love me
Just take my hand
I will help you to understand
I may look the same
Carry the same old name
But a change has come
To make me someone new
I may look the part
But it wasn't from my heart
Quit livin' that lie
When I met Jesus face to face
You don't know me
You don't understand
You don't know me
Just what kind of man
If you love me
Just take my hand
I will help you to understand
I may wear the same old clothes
Lookin' like I haven't been told
I can see Jesus Christ
Right through this veil of tears
You don't know my heart
I'm talkin' about the sacred part
It gets a little better
And better and better
All through the years
You don't know me
You don't understand
You don't know me
Just what kind of man
If you love me
Just take my hand
I will help you to understand
This thing started a long time ago
I'm talkin' back in the Bible days
People thinking they know you
And living a live
And dealing in contrary ways
Don't let it stop your stuff
You gotta be tough
These things will soon come to pass
Keep your head in the sky
You can get by
And come out the victor at last
You don't know me
You don't understand
You don't know me
Just what kind of man
If you love me
Just take my hand
I will help you to understand
Video
You Don't Know Me
Meaning & Inspiration
Al Green's "You Don't Know Me," released on the 1992 album *Love Is Reality*, transcends a simple musical offering; it stands as a profound testament to personal transformation and divine grace. The narrative woven into the lyrics speaks to a common human experience: the perception of others versus the reality of one's inner spiritual journey. Green opens with a plea for understanding, acknowledging the disconnect between outward appearances and the seismic shift that has occurred within him. This sentiment echoes the Apostle Paul's assertion in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" The declaration, "But a change has come, to make me someone new," is not merely a casual observation but a powerful affirmation of spiritual rebirth. The lyrics highlight that this change wasn't a superficial adjustment for outward approval, stating, "But it wasn't from my heart, Quit livin' that lie." This honesty points to the profound moment of encounter with the divine, a face-to-face meeting with Jesus Christ that renders previous pretenses obsolete.
The recurring refrain, "You don't know me, You don't understand, Just what kind of man," encapsulates the difficulty individuals often have in grasping the depth of another's spiritual awakening. It’s a recognition that superficial judgments fall short of comprehending a heart remade by faith. Green’s vulnerability extends to admitting, "I may wear the same old clothes, Lookin' like I haven't been told," illustrating that external circumstances may not immediately reflect internal renewal. However, he contrasts this with an unwavering inner vision: "I can see Jesus Christ, Right through this veil of tears." This imagery powerfully conveys that despite earthly struggles and perceived shortcomings, the spiritual reality remains clear and vibrant. The acknowledgment of the "sacred part" of his heart that is continually improving, "It gets a little better, And better and better, All through the years," aligns with the ongoing sanctification process described in Philippians 1:6, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
The song’s extended narrative delves into the historical and ongoing nature of misjudgment, referencing "Bible days" and people who "think they know you, And living a live, And dealing in contrary ways." This reminds us of the pervasive human tendency to categorize and define others based on limited information, a practice Jesus warned against in Matthew 7:1, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." Yet, Green offers encouragement, urging listeners not to be deterred by such misperceptions. Phrases like "Don't let it stop your stuff, You gotta be tough, These things will soon come to pass" and "Keep your head in the sky, You can get by, And come out the victor at last" resonate with the biblical call to persevere in faith, drawing strength from passages like Romans 8:37, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." The final invitation, "If you love me, Just take my hand, I will help you to understand," is a tender outreach, offering the truth of his transformed life as a testament to the power of God's love, a love that seeks to bridge understanding and reveal the true self found in Christ.