The Rolling Stones - Saint of Me Meaning

Saint of Me Lyrics

Saint Paul the persecutor
Was a cruel and sinful man
Jesus hit him with a blinding light
And then his life began
I said yeah
I said yeah

Augustin knew temptation
He loved women, wine and song
And all the special pleasures
Of doing something...

1. anonymous

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   May 24th 2018 !⃝

   This song is genius. There are certainly things in my life that I feel guilty about. But I feel like Mick is suggesting that as humans, we aren't perfect, that we are prone to sin, and that we shouldn't be expected to tip toe through life without making a few mistakes. As long as we love one another, we should be good.
2. anonymous

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   Dec 31st 2013 !⃝

   The meaning is similar to that behind Sympathy for the Devil. The state of mankind is sin. It's in our nature. To try to be perfect is a fool's errand. To condemn someone for their imperfections or not sticking to the "rules" (Paul the Persecutor) is un-Christian. It is not the role of Man to be saint-like, but to withhold judgment of others for their shortcomings, and to forgive. "If you meet me, have some sympathy . . . "
3. anonymous

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   Jun 9th 2012 !⃝

   @marinus You hit the nail on the head.
   I interpret it the same way. Micks weakness is women Lust. Hes no saint but he doesnt want to go to hell.
   I hate it when people say Mick is Atheist because he clearly is NOT. Hes a sinner but sounds something like eh wants to change but cant.
4. marinus

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   Jan 10th 2009 !⃝

   This song is a bit tongue in cheek about how the singer would love to be strong as a saint, defying torture etc and die staying true to his principles/faith, but "how could you stand the torture, could you stand the pain, could you put your faith in Jesus when you're burning in the flames? you'll never make a saint of me" basically says it all.
   I just think the song's biblical references are brilliant, as in:
   Saint Paul the persecutor
   Was a cruel and sinful man
   Jesus hit him with a blinding light
   And then his life began
   I said yeah
   I said yeah
   Augustin knew temptation
   He loved women, wine and song
   And all the special pleasures
   Of doing something wrong
   
   John the Baptist was a martyr
   But he stirred up Herod's hate
   And Salome got her wish
   To have him served up on a plate