Lion of Judah is one of my favourite recent songs. A very original song with emotional vocals and guitar.

I noticed that most fans do not like the song. I do think it's a very personal song for Prince.

Can somebody explain the lyrics?

The title Lion of Judah is the name given to the Hebrew tribe of Judah, it's a Jewish tribe. It is also a reference to Jesus from the book of Revelations.

Prince seems to be comparing himself to the Lion of Judah. And the woman that he wants seems to be the type of woman that will stand beside him and with pride. I do admire his honesty in the line "I probably passed my expiration date."

"Lion Of Judah"

Sitting on the floor of an all white room
Feeling like the color blue
Thinking about the words that I can use
2 get this through 2 U

A million mistakes and then some
I've made with the 1's B4
I probably passed my expiration date
But still I adore U... Adore U...

Looking 4 the energy 2 take U there
The place's that U wanna go
Knowing if I do, U'r fully aware
The press will turn it in to a show (A show)

Everyone expects this outcome
But still they jump 4 all the crew
I Guess should be happy but I'm still not
Sure that U realy love me...

Love me... Love me... Love me... U love me...

[Chorus:]
Like the Lion of Judah (Judah)
I Strike my enemys down
As my God is living
Surely the trumpet will sound
There was 1 who would stand by my side
Through the good and the bad
Let that 1 stand with pride
The best that I ever had

Like the lion of judah

Driving away with a smile on my face
Wind blowing through my hair
Wondering how U'll feel when U find out
How much I really care (I care)

Hoping that the tears roll down U'r face (Down U'r face)
Your body grasp who we are (Who are we?)
2 gypsy beggars who only by Vegas
Came 2 be a star
(A super star)
A star
That's what we are...

[Chorus]

Like the Lion of Judah (Judah)
I strike my enemys down
Like the lion of judah (Judah)
Surely U....gonna hear the trupet sound
Hear the trumpet will sound

(ohhh)
Lion... Judah... Judah...

The Lion of Judah
[Edited 5/20/16 13:46pm]

"
Sitting on the floor of an all white room
Feeling like the color blue

"

Sori, how long have you been having these near death experiences?

When I read the lyrics I wondered who Adore was written for and then who Revelations on Phase II.

I immediately thought all 3 were to Denise.

I know- haters of the "his one true love Vanity" theory will commence telling me how silly a notion that is. I don't care.

OK, thank you explaining. So he's in love with a (younger) woman. He is questioning if she wants him for the right reasons. If she is proud of him and wants to follow him on the same religion path and is aware of the consequenses (the press).

He is uncertain and made mistakes in the past and wants to be sure that she is the one.

[Edited 5/20/16 14:15pm]

[Edited 5/20/16 14:15pm]

[Edited 5/20/16 14:16pm]

RiotPaisley said:

When I read the lyrics I wondered who Adore was written for and then who Revelations on Phase II. I immediately thought all 3 were to Denise. I know- haters of the "his one true love Vanity" theory will commence telling me how silly a notion that is. I don't care.

bowing out now before the start to fly.

lion88 said:

From the press part I take it the girl was famous and the fact that he mentions his expiration date makes it seem that he was much older than she was. If they were around the same age, there wouldn't be a need for him to mention it imo.

purplegirl00 said:

No, there's no need to compare the women in Prince's life, it cheapens the role of each woman and in women in general because women are worth more more than just the relationship they had with a man. Women are not simply define by their relationship they had with a man. If you think Vanity was his twin flame, soul mate, true love, his other half, etc. then that's fine. There's no need to argue about it.
[Edited 5/20/16 14:30pm]