Presence of the Lord (Blind Faith album)

"Presence of the Lord"
Song by Blind Faith
from the album Blind Faith
Released	9 August 1969
Recorded	20 February – 28 June 1969
Studio	Olympic, London Morgan, London
Genre	Psychedelic rock blues rock
Length	4:50
Label	Polydor
Producer(s)	Jimmy Miller
Alternative cover
US cover

Presence of the Lord is the fourth track of the studio album Blind Faith by the English supergroup Blind Faith. The album was originally released in 1969 on Polydor Records in the United Kingdom and Europe and on ATCO Records in the United States, topping the album charts in the UK, Canada and US, and listed at No. 40 on the US Soul Albums chart. The album has been certified platinum by the RIAA.

In 2016, Blind Faith was ranked 14th on Rolling Stone's list of "The 40 Greatest One Album Wonders", which described "Can't Find My Way Home" and "Presence of the Lord" as "incredible".

Lyrics

I have finally found a way to live
Just like I never could before
I know that I don't have much to give
But I can open any door
Everybody knows the secret
Everybody knows the score
Yeah yeah yeah
I have finally found a way to live
In the color of the Lord

I have finally found a place to live
Just like I never could before
And I know I don't have much to give
But soon I'll open any door
Everybody knows the secret
Everybody knows the score
I have finally found a place to live
Oh oh oh oh
In the presence of the Lord
In the presence of the Lord

I have finally found a way to live
Just like I never could before
And I know I don't have much to give
But I can open any door
Everybody knows the secret
I said everybody knows the score
I have finally found a way to live
Oh oh oh oh
In the colour of the Lord
In the colour of the Lord

— Eric Patrick Clapton, Presence of the Lord © E C Music Ltd

Meaning

This if the first song for which Eric Clapton wrote all the lyrics himself. Steve Winwood sang lead, as he did with all of the Blind Faith songs. Even though it's a very personal song, Clapton made sure he wouldn't be the lead vocalist by writing it in a higher key than he could sing. He thought Winwood was a much better singer (most would agree), and wanted him on this track.

The song is about how Clapton was becoming more comfortable with his life. He had just left Cream at the peak of its popularity, and was looking forward to playing with Blind Faith. He wasn't too comfortable though: Clapton was fighting drug addiction and falling in love with George Harrison's wife, whom he would later marry.

Clapton called this a "song of gratitude." It was one of his first songs to explore spirituality, which he did on some of his solo tracks in the '70s. He said the message of this song was to "say 'thank you' to God, or whatever you choose to call Him, for whatever happens."