Nirvana - They Hung Him On A Cross Lyrics






They hung him on a cross
They hung him on a cross
They hung him on a cross for me
One day when I was lost
They hung him on a cross
They hung him on a cross for me

They whooped him up the hill
They whooped him up the hill
They whooped him up the hill for me
One day when I was lost
They hung him on a cross
They whooped him up the hill for me

He never said a mumblin' word
He never said a mumblin' word
He never said a mumblin' word for me
One day when I was lost
They hung him on a cross
They hung him on a cross for me

They bit him in the side
They bit him in the side
They bit him in the side for me
One day when I was lost
They hung him on a cross
They hung him on a cross for me

He hung his head and died
He hung his head and died
He hung his head and died for me
One day when I was lost
They hung him on a cross
They hung him on a cross for me





Other Lyrics by Artist

Rand Lyrics

Last Posts

Nirvana They Hung Him On A Cross Comments
  1. A.... T....

    That messing with the major/minor is excellent.

  2. S.... ....

    Gruntry or crunge

  3. H.... ....

    they did

  4. D.... H....

    Something about this song grasps me so real, he’s telling the true from this modern day religion we’ve all grown up with, and yet every word he sings is just a simplified version of what we all know about Jesus Christ and how he died and why. As Christians we believe and love him for this sacred sacrifice and are so happy to have him apart of us, right? But Jesus was just one man. And “THEY”, they were many men and women but yet some how we follow the one and not the many. We should all be thankful for him for his sacrifice, but then again who is “He” without “Them” or "They"? Without good there is no evil and vise versa. Correct me if I’m wrong but this all sounds like a lot of bullish!t. So believe what you will in life and live life like you love yourself AND your enemy because if it wasn’t for your enemy you may not love yourself, and if you don’t love yourself then you need to find some kind of enemy.

  5. M.... C....

    This dude sucks balls so bad.. terrible voice and guitar tone. Leadbelly rules! I have heard so many old school church gospel singers do it 10000 times better than this dude.

  6. P.... ....

    voice reminds me of pearl jam

    P.... ....

    excuse me what

    P.... ....

    Kurt’s voice in this song reminds me of Eddies voice, especially on the “they hung him on the cross”

  7. C.... E....

    Sorry so long. Something has happened to me this past week starting around 10/06/19. I am reading tons of Nirvana and Kurt history, looking up interviews of the band when they were young, reading the various thoughts on Kurt's death, bought a book, another on order, and everything I can find through Youtube and Google searches. (I work full time and have homework to do!) I was not listening to popular radio much in the 90s, so I can enjoy a band like this now and it is all mostly new to me. I knew of their songs because they had so much exposure - however I never "got into" the band, nor did I listen deeply - for some reason I am now, however just scratched the surface of a few hits, want to study the lyrics and music more. I love the humor, find some of it sarcastic (patronizing?) and have a little trouble listening to the wailing and screaming (baby steps). The word "gun" makes an appearance in these songs a lot :/ even with that said, I love the passion, the moodiness and the dynamics... that voice, that bass and those drums!


    Kurt, Dave and Krist must have been fun to hang out with before things got so bad (in context of Nirvana). Can't blame the fans for wishing they could be 'friends" with these guys, as I have read many social media posts. I am so sad about Kurt, the pain he felt, the addiction, and hope his faith was ultimately in God, because it seemed he was seeking truth and hated the problem of evil and hypocrisy in the world. It's not all bad, but God needs to be our eternity. Of course I do not know any of them, however observe from some of my reading that Dave and Krist must have faced such a hard time in those last months (years?) - how in the world did they process all of that at such a young age? It must be something processed over a lifetime. They seem to have overcome well to this point and I admire them. I'll be looking for any books they might have written and I barely know all the great Foo Fighter songs, so I'll pursue that also.


    As the lyrics in this song proclaim, I believe Jesus died for us (and He rose again and later was seen by many...), I hope to see those who believe later in Heaven. If God might have put this on my heart, I pray Kurt is at peace with Him, and pray for peace for his friends and family.

    C.... E....

    yea, me too, for some reason I ca"t get enough

  8. D.... _....

    Grunge estilo Country... gostei.

  9. A.... M....

    "WHO is this that rebukes and the seamen turn it up Elven? Whhy J.ackie C.han" - P.eP.e

  10. V.... ....

    Heck to the god loving yeah brother

  11. C.... M....

    The best thing lead belly ever did leave songs for Kurt to cover

  12. j.... k....

    I feel like if this song had a few riffs it would be better

    j.... k....

    Kobey Heigns I know. It was a Leadbelly song. Kurt could have rocked it up, though. Good tune, though.

  13. L.... P....

    Awesome group and Kurt is a great singer, Love from Morrow GA.

    L.... P....

    I agree. He had a good voice for singing. “Polly,” “All Apologies,” and on their debut album, “About A Girl,” all sounded great because he sang them. Not like the In Utero’s “Tourette’s,” That was just a screamer.

    L.... P....

    @Hew Grebe I agree,a great voice,those are great, the tourettes, Great guitar, did have some screaming ☺️

    L.... P....

    Lisa Parsons I used to own all from this band. I had a C.D. box with two rows. One side, I had the D.G.G. releases and the other side was just bootleg discs. Had about the same amount of each. But this was from right after he passed. Good songs.

    L.... P....

    @Hew Grebe I use to have,come as you are,1991.And 1992 was great.

    L.... P....

    Lisa Parsons I can’t believe that Kurt only knew a few guitar chords. If you had to make a noise with minimum skills, play like Kurt Cobain. That was me in my first band. We just said the place to play and off we went. Trust me, though. That got old, fast. But if you name any Nirvana song, I can play it. Wish that the Beatles were that easy to play. And above, you said that “Tourettes” was a screamer. That was them at the tail end of a normal recording session just doing the quickest song. Wonder what a session with these guys was like. First off, Kurt, Krist, and Dave. Then, when they got to the In Utero touring, then you had Pat Smear and Lori Goldstein and her cello. Plus all those decorations. That was such an odd looking body-type thing Kurt made for the stage. And he always bought used guitars. Probably because he smashed them after every show.

  14. A.... C....

    I would have loved to hear kurt cover a hank Williams song. I saw the light or setting the woods on fire. I think kurt couldve gave those songs a gritty twist but still folky.

    A.... C....

    I agree 💯 he's a great singer.

    A.... C....

    Great idea!

    A.... C....

    Any in particular Hank Williams song you had in mind?

  15. g.... v....

    I like how people think he is catering to the Christian but he is fuckn bashing on them thank you Kurt I love him even more

    g.... v....

    game vs gamer - He's not doing either. Kurt just recorded it because he had heard Leadbelly cover it, it's as simple as that.

    g.... v....

    Did you know Kurt how do you know why he covered it? I here sarcasm in it.

    g.... v....

    Michael Melvin - Of course I didn't "know Kurt" but having been a massive fan of Kurt, and Nirvana, for over thirty years, I have read up extensively on him, the band, and especially, the music.
    "They Hung Him On A Cross" (aka "He Never Said a Mumblin' Word" and "Crucifixion") was part of a side project containing members of Nirvana and the Screaming Trees, known as The Jury.
    It featured Kurt Cobain on vocals and guitar, Mark Lanegan on vocals, Krist Novoselic on bass and Mark Pickerel on drums.
    Over two days of recording sessions, on August 20 and 28, 1989, the band recorded four songs also performed by Lead Belly; "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?", an instrumental version of "Grey Goose", "Ain't It a Shame" and "They Hung Him on a Cross"; the latter of which featured Cobain solo.
    Cobain was inspired to record the songs after receiving a copy of Lead Belly's Last Sessions' from his friend Slim Moon, after which hearing it he "felt a connection to Leadbelly's almost physical expressions of longing and desire."
    Now, you can of course have any opinion you want about Kurt's music, I mean it's all subjective anyway.
    But if you can find me any kind of evidence that suggests it was sung in a "mocking way" then I'm happy to listen. But as far as I can see it was just two friends, who were both big Leadbelly fans, wanting to record his songs together.

  16. C.... Z....

    I'll be your scapegoat... I mean huckleberry.

    C.... Z....

    It all seems a bit much. Don't you think?

  17. R.... O....

    My easter song

  18. k.... ....

    Ostern 2019

  19. D.... G....

    Not for me I'm on the dark side

    D.... G....

    Dorian Gray just because it’s on a major (happy) key, that doesn’t not mean a thing.. this song is a very dark song about the torture and death of Jesus Christ

  20. H.... G....

    This is a good song. Kurts voice pulls it together, too. Such good pitch and all. Great work.

    H.... G....

    Lisa Parsons to think that this singer wanted to be a drummer through his childhood. Then, as a bassist, too. Could have been his own band. He had done a recorded cassette he had named, not kidding, but ‘Fecal Matter.’ Which was just him. Only, I think seven songs but sounded good.

    H.... G....

    @Hew Grebe I agree I remember her wanted to be a drummer,bass through his childhood.Yes he could have been his own band!Hes a great singer,alot of great I'll check into the ,not kidding ☺️

    H.... G....

    Lisa Parsons I am wondering what would have ever happened with this man. Sad, we will never know, though.

    H.... G....

    @Hew Grebe I agree,Sad.He was my age, im52now.will always love the group.

    H.... G....

    @Hew Grebe nice talking to you.

  21. A.... D....

    would've loved to hear him scream on this shit

  22. s.... ....

    Kurt Cobain takes on Christian-Folk

    s.... ....

    Great song, first time I've heard it.

  23. E.... L....

    Sotaque caipira canadense hahah

  24. M.... S....

    leadbelly has so many good songs.

    M.... S....

    I agree,and this song is a good one, great singer Kurt.

  25. L.... L....

    Fuck yeah dude

  26. E.... P....

    This song honestly disturbs me

    E.... P....

    Atheists these days

  27. Q.... B....

    Im not religious but I love this

    Q.... B....

    I don't think Kurt was religious either

  28. n.... p....

    11 ppl headed to hell 😂😂 jk

  29. F.... S....

    There was there was bach.....then k. Cobain

    F.... S....

    Too all the listeners lost unto labeling the genre......STOP TRYING.. This is an old american folk standard.

    IM SURE THIS IS HARD TO GRASP. FOR THOSE WHOM HAVE BEEN AN EAR SLAVE TO THE REXORD COMPANIES TELLING YOU WHAT MUSIC YOU ARR TO LIKE AND MAKING SURE THE MOUTHPIECE. FEEDING YOU IS A GIRL WITH BATELY ANY CLOTHES ON. ......SO DIG IT. There are artists that come along that actually have an undying respect for theor meduium and yes....they lerform music in which is meaningfull and transcends all time as it is the ART WHICH MEANS MORE THAN ANY EARTHLY radio play or units sold.

    F.... S....

    Society had as much to do with Sir Kurt D. Cobain's death as courtney did....as mich as the success of teen spirit did.

    P.s. he was murdered. Not by a shotgun but by themans huge heart and naivety to who disgustingly fake this world is.

    I miss him and his take on music every single day , as many do. At the same time i and anyone who digs his sincerity.... HE HAD TO LEVEL THE FUCK UP.....HE IS TOO BEAUTIFUL. TO PLAY IN MUD.

    F.... S....

    I think it just sounds good. Just Kurt’s interpretation.

  30. E.... B....

    Christian country grunge core

  31. J.... M....

    Imagine this in far cry 5 sound truck or on the radio. XD

    J.... M....

    Image someone getting the rights and putting this in a game.

  32. R.... V....

    I‘m so in Love with Kurts Voice. ❤️

    R.... V....

    i kknnooowww! me too!!

    R.... V....

    Great singer, Kurt,first time I've heard this song.

    R.... V....

    @niecy palmer yup

  33. R.... V....

    I‘m so in Love with Kurts Voice. ❤️

  34. C.... o....

    Is he talking about Jesus??

    C.... o....

    No,he was talking about Jesus!

    C.... o....

    Definitely

    C.... o....

    No he is talking about mohammad

    C.... o....

    What you talking about. Its buddha

    C.... o....

    No, an allegory of Belly himself about an ex!

  35. T.... 1....

    Lead Belly covered this song. It's an old Hymn.

    T.... 1....

    Really? I always thought lead belly made this song... you learn something new everyday

    T.... 1....

    Not Kurt Cobain Yeah, even Where Did You Sleep Last Night was an old hymn

    T.... 1....

    Led belly wrote where did you sleep last night ... obviously not a hymn

    T.... 1....

    I'm pretty sure it is

    T.... 1....

    @Zach Kiker Ohhh! I thought hymn meant old folk song! I wasn't talking about a religious song!

  36. k.... w....

    "He hung his head n died!!"

  37. t.... S....

    Blues grunge music

  38. J.... K....

    Uwielbiam!

  39. T.... ....

    Christian Grunge?

    T.... ....

    Its sarcastic

    T.... ....

    @Michael Melvin not really, Kurt loved Leadbelly, even his gospel songs. Kurt even tried to buy his guitar.

  40. r.... r....

    Christian's music? xD

  41. J.... T....

    His inner Johnny Cash is coming out in this

    J.... T....

    I agree good comment ☺️ love His songs

    J.... T....

    I thought the same! This is moving and beautiful. The lyrics are Truth.

  42. H.... A....

    This barely even sounds like Kurdt.

    H.... A....

    That is exactly what I thought. This can't be Kurt. He screams. Loses his vocal chords during his yelling. But it was like, there is a story here. He doesn't need to lose his neck, he can just sing it. There is a good story, here. Then I saw who wrote it, Huddie Ledbetter. Okay, they are interpreting someone else's writing. Still like their version of "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" on unplugged. Written by the same man. Great on their part.

    H.... A....

    On "Paper Cuts", he sang so hard, I have a book that says that, Kurt had no voice for just a couple of days after. Even after their best show, he could still talk at you. Not after this song, though.

    H.... A....

    @Hew Grebe respect for giving me that insight about kurt.

    H.... A....

    Matt Grebenik - Lead Belly didn't write either of those songs. He, along with many other artists, recorded versions of them, but he certainly didn't write them.

    H.... A....

    Serial Killa thanks for that information. I thought they were written by the first person. Thanks, again.

  43. [.... ....

    Country grunge Christian music ❤️❤️❤️❤️😂😂😂

    [.... ....

    I mean yeah couldn't think of anything else I could call this...lol

    [.... ....

    Great group and song

    [.... ....

    it good

  44. T.... K....

    KURT COBAIN WAS THE GREATEST FUCKIN SONGWRITER SINCE JOHN LENNON. Arguments welcome......

    T.... K....

    Tyler Kordenbrock this is a cover...he didn't write this song.....but yeah he still is the best songwriter

    T.... K....

    this song was written by leadbelly but kurt is still an amazing writer that is true.

    T.... K....

    God knows Curtis death was not in vain.

    T.... K....

    Tyler Kordenbrock george harrison wrote better songs then john lennon and paul mccartney.

    T.... K....

    You mean Paul McCartney

  45. a.... ....

    country grunge...

    a.... ....

    Its called "Country blues" and various folk black performers used to called it like that.

    a.... ....

    folk/blues leadbelly

    a.... ....

    No ,not country its bluegrass

    a.... ....

    Great singer and song

    a.... ....

    @Mckinley Lowman - YOUR AN IDIOTA!!!

  46. D.... C....

    Kurt cobain!
    R.I.P

    D.... C....

    I agree,RIP,To Kurt, he's a great singer.

  47. J.... A....

    Believe and follow the Lord Jesus Christ

    J.... A....

    No,God is REAL!

    J.... A....

    fuck you and your jesus creep

    J.... A....

    Simon Moran woah, that’s pretty EDGY

    J.... A....

    Jesus was an alcoholic with mental health problems! Everyone in mental homes thinks there the son of God! He pretended that his water just turned into wine, classic alcoholic excuse, he liked touching people saying he was healing! Didn't really care about his appearance always unshaven and unwashed, thought he was walking on water but it was just ice, thought he had come back from the dead but he had just gone through bad alcoholic withdrawals! Told his pals to leave there homes and families! Don't get me wrong I think he was great and bloody nutty rock star, but not the son of God

    J.... A....

    Conceptualize a moral ideal and pray to it. Concept zero. Help all you can. We are one. Wake up from the simulation pe0p1e.

  48. A.... J....

    muito foda!!

  49. S.... R....

    I must try and play this on guitar, I hope its standard tuning, my tuner is fucked lol

    S.... R....

    Spank Rocket thats what your ear is for. Rock on buddy

    S.... R....

    Heres the kicker! This is fucking good news! Believe it!! Or die!

    S.... R....

    Holy shit, that's a nice pic.

    S.... R....

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZMUy62s6U4

  50. D.... ....

    I love this cover

  51. j.... ....

    He never said a mumblin' word

    j.... ....

    I know. You can hear all of his vocals clearly. Just a touch of distortion, too. Great song to sing. Good job to them for it, too. And for the small amount of chords I thought he knew, blows me away with this one. He is not on his power chord at all here. Love to hear the original of it. Probably want this one over it. Good job, fellas.

    j.... ....

    Matt Grebenik - No, that's the alternative name of the track; 'He Never Said A Mumblin' Word'.

    j.... ....

    @Hew Grebe went over ur head lol

  52. k.... m....

    another great leadbelly cover... such a shame

    k.... m....

    +kevin mason Aint it a shame to beat your wife on a sunday

    k.... m....

    +Rex _ When you got Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, Friday, Saturday. ain't it a shame.

    k.... m....

    Aint it?

    k.... m....

    @Bones Malone I see what you did there.